Analysis of changes in expression of oral bacteria membrane transporters in the relation to occurrence of oral mucosal disorders associated with high-dose chemotherapy

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17183
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57070:Developmental dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Morikawa Yuko (森川優子) 岡山大学, 歯学部, 客員研究員 (70803188)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 小児がん / 大量化学療法 / 口腔細菌叢 / 歯周病菌 / ミュータンスレンサ球菌 / Streptococcus mutans / 口腔粘膜障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Saliva samples were collected from children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at various time points, then PCR assays of DNA extracted from those specimens were performed. Three months after transplantation, the detection rates of all oral Streptococcus spp. and periodontopathogenic bacteria increased as compared to that at one month after transplantation. In addition, sequence analysis was performed to identify the periodontopathogenic bacteria species. Among all identified before transplantation, Actinomyces spp. showed the highest rate of prevalence, while the most abundant in all stages was the Streptococcus genus. These findings suggest that Actinomyces spp. and Streptococcus spp. bacteria are associated with oral mucosal disorder development. Additionally, they provide useful information regarding oral care for children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and prevention of oral mucosal disorders.

Free Research Field

小児歯科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

大量化学療法による全身状態の変化や長期にわたる抗生剤の投与によって、移植前では歯肉炎に関与するActinomyces 属が多く、移植直後からStreptococcus 属へと菌叢が変化している。大量化学療法を行うにあたってターゲットとなる細菌が明らかになれば口腔衛生指導の要点や粘膜障害を予防するための足がかりになると期待できる。