Oral microbiota dysbiosis in pediatric patients undergoing treatment for acute lymphoid leukemia

Abstract

Abstract Background Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common neoplasm in childhood, characterized by rapid production of abnormal lymphoid cells. The instituted chemotherapy for these patients can promote a serious imbalance in oral microbiota. Methods A pediatric prospective study using a control group (without ALL) and ALL patients in two moments of treatment (pre-induction and consolidation) was executed. Clinical and laboratorial data was collected. In addition, DNA from saliva samples of patients was extracted for 16S rRNA sequencing. Results Clinical data showed higher degree of oral mucositis in the consolidation phase. Analysis of alpha biodiversity (observed taxa) showed a significant decrease in bacterial richness in patients in the consolidation phase. Network analysis showed that the key taxa in the consolidation phase were Neisseria flavescens, Prevotella melaninogenica and Porphyromonas. Conclusions The results showed that LLA treatment can lead to significant changes in the composition of the oral microbiota, with reduced bacterial diversity and increased degree of oral mucositis.