Oral microbiota associated with hyposalivation of different origins

Abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts

Abstract

Microflora variations relate to the reason for hyposalivation, rather than the effect itself.

Main

Almståhl A, Wikström M et al. Oral Microbiol Immunol 2003; 18: 1–8

In this study, the oral microflora was compared in 14 patients who had undergone radiation therapy (RT), 26 with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), 10 on long term neuroleptic medication (NM), 29 with hyposalivation of unknown origin (HU) and 36 controls (C). Mean age was around 54 years, with little variation between groups.

Total microbial counts were similar in all groups. NM had a mean 27% of streptococci, but HU had 60%, SS, 56%, and C, 49%. All 4 hyposalivation groups had significantly more lactobacilli than C, and the proportion was higher in RT. In RT, SS and NM, Candida albicans proportion was significantly higher. Fusobacterium nucleatum was lowest in NM. This group alone also had clearly visible supragingival plaque. The authors discuss the differing microbial ecology of the groups.