Shotgun Metagenomic Analysis Reveals Taxonomic and Functional Transitions in the Salivary Microbiome During Periodontal Disease Progression
Muhammed Manzoor, Jaakko Leskelä, Eija Könönen, Leo Lahti, Jukka Putaala, Pirkko J. Pussinen, Susanna PajuABSTRACT
Aim
To characterise multi‐kingdom salivary microbiome profiles across clinically defined periodontal states and identify stage‐specific taxonomic and functional alterations using shotgun metagenomic sequencing.
Materials and Methods
In this cross‐sectional study, 204 adults (mean age 40.3 ± 7.6 years) from the SECRETO study (NCT01934725) underwent clinical and radiographic oral examinations and were classified into six periodontal groups: periodontal health, localised gingivitis, generalised gingivitis, gingivitis with pockets, mild periodontitis (Stages I–II) and severe periodontitis (Stages III–IV). Saliva samples were analysed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing to evaluate microbial diversity, taxonomic composition and functional pathways.
Results
Beta diversity differed between periodontal health and the different disease states (Bray–Curtis:
p
= 0.049; Jaccard:
p
= 0.043). Gingivitis with pockets and severe periodontitis showed a significant enrichment of disease‐associated species
Conclusion
Salivary multi‐kingdom microbiome transitions closely reflect the progression of periodontal disease and provide promising biomarkers for identifying at‐risk individuals.