Microbial Diversity and Composition Uncovered on Obturator Prosthesis Biofilms: Exploratory Findings from a Pilot Study

TL;DR

This pilot study explores the diverse microbial communities found on obturator prostheses biofilms, revealing a complex mix of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Contribution

The study is the first to investigate microbial diversity on obturator prosthesis biofilms using metagenomics.

Findings

Each biofilm contained between 2616 to 3024 species, dominated by prokaryotes and unclassified species.

Unusual pathogens like Mycobacterium were detected at low percentages.

Antibiotic-resistance mechanisms and unigenes related to human disease were identified.

Abstract

Microbial communities on obturator prosthesis biofilms have yet to be investigated. This pilot study explores eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and viruses present on obturator prosthesis biofilms using metagenomics. The prostheses of the selected patients (n = 3) were collected and their biofilms were physically removed. The total genomic DNA was extracted, followed by metagenomic analysis. The microbial diversity in each of the investigated biofilms was exceptionally abundant. Between 2616 to 3024 species were detected in the three biofilms. The highest percentage included prokaryotes and unclassified species, followed by low percentages of fungi, viruses, and archaea. Unusual pathogens rarely reported in oral biofilms, such as Mycobacterium and other species, were also found at very low percentages. Unigenes for functional pathways related to metabolism, cellular processes, human disease, and other microbial unigenes were abundant. In addition, unigenes for several antibiotic-resistance mechanisms were also detected. This study reveals, for the first time, that biofilm formation on obturator prostheses comprises a variety of dynamic microbial communities, suggesting a putative role in health and disease in patients following maxillofacial surgery.

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