From health to periodontitis: dynamic changes in the subgingival microbiome and their association with systemic inflammation levels.

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to characterize the dynamic progression of the subgingival microbiome across different stages of periodontitis and to explore its association with levels of systemic chronic inflammation.

METHODS

A total of 148 subjects were enrolled based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants were classified into five groups according to diagnostic criteria: Stage I (n = 25), Stage II (n = 30), Stage III (n = 31), Stage IV (n = 30), and a healthy control group (n = 32). Subgingival samples were collected from all participants and subjected to the 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Peripheral venous blood was obtained to determine blood cell counts and to calculate systemic inflammatory markers. The Spearman's correlation analysis was performed to evaluate associations between subgingival microbial communities and systemic inflammatory markers.

RESULTS

Patients with Stage IV periodontitis exhibited significantly higher levels of WBC, NEUT, NLR, and SII compared to those with Stage I disease. Notably, NLR and SII were markedly elevated (P < 0.01), while WBC and NEUT also showed statistically significant increases (P < 0.05). Further analysis revealed a positive correlation between the abundance of multiple periodontitis-associated bacterial genera and systemic inflammatory markers.

DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates that the progression of periodontitis is associated with distinct changes in the subgingival microbial community, and that this microbial dysbiosis is positively correlated with elevated levels of systemic chronic inflammation.