# The oral microbiome of a family including Papillon-Lefèvre-syndrome patients and clinically healthy members

## TL;DR

This study compares the oral microbiomes of family members with and without Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome, finding a link to specific bacteria.

## Contribution

The study identifies Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans as a key pathogen in Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome oral microbiomes.

## Key findings

- Patients with Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome had oral microbiomes dominated by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.
- Healthy family members had microbiomes similar to those with mild periodontitis.
- Targeted treatment against A. actinomycetemcomitans may improve oral health in affected individuals.

## Abstract

The oral microbiota composition of patients diagnosed with Papillon-Lefèvre-syndrome and treated for several years were compared to those existing in the oral cavity of the clinically healthy family members and a cohort of patients having various stages of chronic periodontitis.

A family with two sisters affected with severe periodontitis and with the typical skin symptoms of Papillon-Lefèvre-syndrome, and symptomless parents and third sibling were investigated. The Patients received periodontal treatment for several years and their oral microbiome was analysed by amplicon sequencing. Data were evaluated by microbial cluster analysis.

The microbiome of the patients with Papillon-Lefèvre-syndrome was predominated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and associated oral periodontopathogens. Although the clinically healthy family members showed no oral disorder, their microbiome resembled that of subjects having mild periodontitis.

Predominance of A. actinomycetemcomitans in the subgingival microbiome of patients with Papillon-Lefèvre-syndrome suggests that specific treatment strategies directed against this pathobiont may improve the oral health status of the affected individuals.

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the ethical permission has been issued by the Human Investigation Review Board of the University of Szeged, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre (Permission No. 63/2017-SZTE). September 19, 2017. https://u-szeged.hu/klinikaikutatas/rkeb-altal-jovahagyott/rkeb-2017.