Oral bacteriome and oral potentially malignant disorders: A systematic review of the associations.

INTRODUCTION: Periodontal bacteria can infiltrate the epithelium, activate signaling pathways, induce inflammation, and block natural killer and cytotoxic cells, all of which contribute to the vicious circle of carcinogenesis. It is unknown whether oral dysbiosis has an impact on the etiology or prognosis of OPMD.

AIMS: Within this paradigm, this work systemically investigated and reported on the composition of oral microbiota in patients with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) versus healthy controls.

METHODS: Observational studies that reported next generation sequencing analysis of oral tissue or salivary samples and found at least three bacterial species were included. Identification, screening, citation analysis, and graphical synthesis were carried out.

RESULTS: For oral lichen planus (OLP), the bacteria with the highest abundance were Fusobacterium, Capnocytophaga, Gemella, Granulicatella, Porphyromonas, and Rothia; for oral leukoplakia (OLK), Prevotella. Streptococci levels in OLK and OLP were lower. The usage of alcohol or smoke had no effect on the outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: An increase in periodontal pathogenic bacteria could promote the development and exacerbation of lichen. Effective bacteriome-based biomarkers are worthy of further investigation and application, as are bacteriome-based treatments.