The oral cavity micro-biocenosis in case of desquamative glossitis associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Abstract

Relevance of the research topic. Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is one of the major factors in the development and persistence of digestive diseases and associated non-digestive disorders. The human gastrointestinal tract microbiota of different biotypes features a community of microorganisms with complex interrelationships. The mouth is the beginning of the digestive system and most easily accessible organ for specimen collection. Assessment of the oral mucosal surface works as a diagnostic test reflecting a somatic pathogenesis at its earliest stages. A hydrogen breath test is a non-invasive diagnostic tool for SIBO. The test entails measuring the hydrogen concentration in the exhaled air which is the metabolite of a quantitatively and qualitatively changed intestinal microflora. Small intestinal microbiota imbalance triggers the impairment of other gastrointestinal tract organs. It can cause oral, upper respiratory and gut tract microbial dysbiosis.Purpose. The main concern of this study is to explore the oral microbiota of patients with desquamative glossitis coupled with SIBO.Methods and materials. Clinical studies of 36 patients with desquamative glossitis and varying degrees of severity of SIBO generated data for this research. The comparison group comprised 12 persons with desquamative glossitis not paired by SIBO. The generated data was juxtaposed to normal reference values of the oral microbiota biocenosis. SIBO was diagnosed through hydrogen breath monitoring provided by the Gastro+Gastroliyser (BEDFONT) system while oral microflora was assessed based on culture tests.Results. The research showed that patients with more severe SIBO and desquamative glossitis manifest a more apparent oral dysbiosis with a simultaneous decrease of normal bacteria and an increase in the amount of conditionally pathogenic bacteria. However, patients who have desquamative glossitis but do not suffer from SIBO tend to show a stable normal microbial flora and a growth of conditionally pathogenic bacteria.Summary. The research revealed that the deranged oral microbiota of patients with desquamative glossitis vary in its degree depending on the severity of SIBO as shown by hydrogen breath tests.