The effect of cigarette smoking on the oral microbiota in a South African population using subgingival plaque samplesOriginal paper
Karen Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease, four years before the first published case study.
Read MoreWhat was studied?
Researchers compared subgingival plaque microbiota between smokers and non-smokers in a South African population, examining whether smoking shifts the balance of oral bacteria linked to periodontal disease.
How was it studied?
Among 128 participants, 57 were classified as smokers by serum cotinine above 15 ng/ml. Subgingival plaque samples underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing to compare bacterial community composition between groups.
What did they find?
Smokers had significantly reduced Actinobacteria abundance. Fusobacterium and Campylobacter were more abundant in smokers, while Leptotrichia, Actinomyces, Corynebacterium, and Lautropia were less abundant.
Why it matters
The shift toward anaerobic gram-negative bacteria in smokers may help these organisms dominate the oral cavity, potentially driving periodontal disease development and progression.