Can medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw be attributed to specific microorganisms through oral microbiota analyses? A preliminary study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-03945-z
• Publication Date: 2024-02-01T08:03:06Z
• Authors: Heon-Young Kim; Young-Soo Jung; Wonse Park; Yoon Jeong Choi; Jun-Young Kim
• Keywords: Etiology

Abstract Background Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) can cause significant pain and loss aesthetics function if not treated properly. However, diagnosis still relies on detailed intraoral examinations imaging. Prognosis varies even among patients with similar stages or conditions MRONJ, emphasizing need for a deeper understanding its complex mechanisms. Thus, this study aimed to identify oral microbiota MRONJ. Methods This single-center prospective cohort included confirmed MRONJ who visited Department Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at Yonsei University Dental Hospital between 2021 2022. swab samples were collected from affected unaffected sides each patient. The composition enumeration microbial communities analyzed, diversity was compared verify ecological changes in groups using next-generation sequencing-based 16S metagenomic analysis. A statistical analysis performed Wilcoxon signed-rank test SPSS version 22, values P less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results final sample 12 patients. mean age 82.67 ± 5.73 (range, 72–90) years. Changes observed different taxonomic levels (phylum, genus, species). identified microorganisms commonly associated periodontitis, gingival disease, endodontic infection, suggesting multifactorial etiology Conclusions Although is based small number cases, it shows that caused by specific microorganism but rather be variety factors. By addressing these findings large-scale studies, significance microbiome pathogenesis further elucidated facilitate development effective therapeutic interventions