Metagenomic profiling of plaque microbiota in Indian subjects: identified hidden ecological tapestry

• Published in: Current genetics Vol. 71; no. 1; p. 3
• Main Authors: Sandhu, Sangram, Kumar, Sachin, Singh, Paurabhi, Singh, Balendra Pratap, Jurel, Sunit Kumar, Lal, Nand, Mohit, Sharma, Varun, Rai, Niraj, Chand, Pooran
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abundance; Actinomyces; Adolescent; Adult; Age; Aged; Associated species; Bacteria; Bacteria - classification; Bacteria - genetics; Biochemistry; biofilm; Biofilms; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell Biology; Child; Dental caries; Dental Caries - microbiology; Dental plaque; Dental Plaque - microbiology; elderly; etiology; Female; Food availability; food choices; Food preferences; Food sources; Fusobacterium; Gender; Geographical locations; groundwater; Health promotion; Humans; India - epidemiology; Infectious diseases; Leptotrichia; Life Sciences; lifestyle; Male; Metagenome; Metagenomics; Metagenomics - methods; Microbial Genetics and Genomics; Microbiology; microbiome; Microbiomes; Microbiota; Microbiota - genetics; Microorganisms; Middle Aged; mouth; Oral cavity; Original Article; Pharmaceuticals; Plant Sciences; Population studies; Prevotella; Proteomics; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics; rRNA; species; Streptococcus; Streptococcus - genetics; Streptococcus infections; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus oralis; Streptococcus pyogenes; Streptococcus sobrinus; vegetarian diet; Vegetarianism; Water availability; Young Adult; India; Dental plaque; Metagenomics; Microbial profiling; Forensic; Oral microbiota; Microbiome
• ISSN: 0172-8083; 1432-0983; 1432-0983
• DOI: 10.1007/s00294-024-01306-5

Dental plaque biofilms are the primary etiologic factor for various chronic oral infectious diseases. In recent years, dental plaque shows enormous potential to know about an individual microbiota. Various microbiome studies of oral cavity from different geographical locations reveals abundance of microbial species. Although, the representation of Indian population in this respect is limited, which make us curious to undergo this study. This study investigates the dental plaque microbiota of North Indian individuals based on their age, gender, and dietary patterns; specifically, food preference and availability of water source using 16 S rRNA metagenomics analysis. The findings from this study revealed that Streptococcus levels are high across genders, age groups, and water source, highlighting its role as a predominant dental caries associated species like Streptococcus mutans , Streptococcus pyogenes , Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus oralis in the studied population groups. Additionally, the abundance of Actinomyces is observed higher in young individuals and females whereas Fusobacterium and Leptotrichia were high in elderly individuals. Moreover, non-vegetarians have higher abundance of Streptococcus and Fusobacterium , whereas vegetarians show higher abundance of Prevotella and Leptotrichia . The study also highlights the influence of water type on bacterial composition of dental plaque in the studied population i.e., individuals consuming underground water has high abundance of Streptococcus , whereas individuals consuming RO water exhibit elevated Prevotella and Leptotrichia . Insights emerged from the analysis illuminates the complex dynamics of microbiota in dental plaque among North Indians. This study also highlight that this variation of microbiome is influenced by age, gender, and dietary habits (vegetarian or non-vegetarian lifestyle). These results will fill a significant knowledge gap regarding the Indian dental plaque microbiome but also offer a foundation to conduct metagenome studies and potential therapeutic implications for future personalized oral health interventions. Graphical Abstract Illustrating initial sample collection and experimental procedure