Microbiome and Metaproteome of Craniofacial Implant Regions in Health and Disease

TL;DR

This study explores the microbial and immune differences in healthy and diseased craniofacial implant regions, identifying bacteria and proteins linked to implant success or failure.

Contribution

The study identifies specific bacterial species and protein expression patterns associated with craniofacial implant health and disease.

Findings

Streptococcus intermedius was most abundant in diseased implant regions.

Diseased regions showed increased proinflammatory and decreased anti-inflammatory protein activity.

Pathogenic bacteria and imbalanced immune responses were linked to implant failure.

Abstract

Craniofacial defects from cancer surgery led to functional, aesthetic, and psychological challenges. Rehabilitation with craniofacial implants addresses these issues by improving prosthesis retention through osseointegration and providing predictable cosmetic results. However, maintaining a healthy transcutaneous region is essential for implant longevity.

Evaluation of the microbial community and host response around extraoral implants.

In an intrasubject control study design, 12 cancer patients who had undergone oculofacial rehabilitation with implant‐supported prostheses were included. Biofilm and peri‐implant fluid samples were collected from the transcutaneous region of healthy and diseased implants. Microbiome profiling was conducted through DNA sequencing of the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, and proteome analysis was performed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Differentially abundant species were observed, with
Streptococcus intermedius
being the most abundant in diseased areas, followed by
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
and
Prevotella bivia
. Metaproteomic analysis revealed distinct protein expression patterns between the groups, with increased activation of proinflammatory responses and inactivation of anti‐inflammatory responses in the diseased group.

The study demonstrated an increased abundance of pathogenic bacterial community accompanied by an imbalanced immune response, thereby highlighting host–microbial factors that can influence the success of osseointegration and facial rehabilitation.

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