Developing a Modular Polymicrobial Delivery Platform for Oral Microbiota Transplants
Date
2024-12-12
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Abstract
Imbalances in the oral microbiome contribute to conditions like periodontitis and dental caries. Traditional probiotics often lack sufficient retention in the oral cavity, limiting their effectiveness. Oral Microbiota Transplants (OMTs) offer a promising solution by introducing beneficial microbes to rebalance dysbiosis. This study developed a mucoadhesive hydrogel system embedded with agar microspheres to deliver biofilm-forming probiotics, Streptococcus salivarius and Lactobacillus brevis. The hydrogel’s viscoelastic and mucoadhesive properties were tailored to enhance adhesion and resist shear forces, ensuring prolonged retention and controlled release of viable microbes. Microsphere volume was adjustable, enabling precise microbial dosing. Both strains remained viable within the hydrogel for 24 hours, maintaining biofilm integrity. This platform shows potential for OMTs by supporting prolonged microbial delivery, rebalancing the oral microbiome, and addressing dysbiotic conditions. Additionally, the system’s adaptability opens avenues for broader microbial delivery research and therapeutic applications across various microbiomes.
Description
Oral microbiota transplants (OMTs) involve the transfer of healthy oral microbial communities from a donor to a recipient. This procedure is gaining attention as a therapeutic strategy to restore balance to the oral microbiota, which can become dysbiotic due to various factors such as poor oral hygiene, antibiotic use, or underlying health conditions. Dysbiosis is linked to oral diseases like periodontitis, dental caries, and potentially systemic diseases. By reintroducing a diverse and healthy microbial population, OMTs aim to mitigate inflammation, suppress harmful bacteria, and promote oral and overall health. The importance of OMTs lies in their potential to address the root causes of oral diseases by leveraging natural microbial ecosystems, offering an innovative alternative to traditional treatments.
Keywords
Oral Microbiota Transplants, Mucoadhesive Hydrogel, Oral Microbiome, Biofilm Delviery