Oral Ecology 1 Flashcards
What is oral ecology?
The study of all the relationships between microorganisms and the mouth (their environment)
What is the oral microbiome?
Multi-species community of microbes in the oral cavity
What 2 things can the environment impact in terms of microorganisms?
- Type of microorganism present
2. Number of microorganism present
Name an advantage of using a culture to determine microbial composition of the oral ecosystem
Cultivated bacteria can be used for metabolic studies and antimicrobial sensitivity tests
Name 4 disadvantages of using a culture to determine microbial composition of the oral ecosystem
- Only 50% of bacteria can be grown
- Biased towards predominant organisms
- Slow
- Labour intensive
Name 2 advantages of using a molecular sample to determine microbial composition of the oral ecosystem
- Relatively little bias
2. Rapid
Name 3 disadvantages of using a molecular sample to determine microbial composition of the oral ecosystem
- Properties have to be inferred from sequence data
- Limited data available
- Antimicrobial sensitivity testing not possible
Name 3 types of bacteria present in the mouth
- Indigenous species
- Supplemental species
- Transient flora
What disease is porphyromonas gingivalis associated with?
Periodontal disease
What disease is streptococcus mutans associated with?
Dental caries
What is characteristic of indigenous species of bacteria in the mouth?
Present in stable relationship with host and do not compromise the survival of the host
What is characteristic of supplemental species of bacteria in the mouth?
Present in small numbers but if environment changes their numbers can increase
Give 2 examples of supplemental species
- Streptococcus mutans
2. Porphyromonas gingivalis
What is characteristic of transient flora in the mouth?
Pass through the mouth but do not become established
Give an example of transient flora
E. coli
Name 2 beneficial effects of normal flora
- Colonisation resistance to more virulent bacteria
2. May release some nutrients from food (more important in animals e.g. cattle)
Explain 4 general mechanisms of disruption of the normal flora
- Suppression by antimicrobial agents
- Changes in general health or immunological status
- Hormonal changes e.g. pregnancy
- Local trauma
Explain 5 oral cavtiy specific mechanisms of disruption of the normal flora
- Changes in diet
- Reduction in salivary secretion
- Dental disease
- Dental treatment
- Changes in oral hygiene regime
What are 5 characteristics of the habitat provided for microorganisms by lips, cheeks and palate?
- Biomass restricted by desquamation
- Surfaces may have specialized host cell types
- Saliva has major influence
- Microflora has low diversity
- Facultative anaerobes present
What are 4 characteristics of the habitat provided for microorganisms by tongue?
- Biomass restricted by desquamation
- Highly papillated
- Acts as reservoir for obligate anaerobes
- Diverse microflora
What are 2 characteristics of the habitat provided for microorganisms by teeth?
- Non-shedding surface allows large masses of microbes to accumulate
- Distinct surface support distinct microflora due to intrinsic biological properties e.g. fissure, smooth surfaces, gingival crevice etc
- Host many anaerobes
Where in the oral cavity is the only non-epithelial covered surface in the body?
Junction between teeth and gum
Name the main microorganism found on the lips, cheeks and palate
Streptococcus
Name 5 microorganisms found on the tongue
- Streptococcus
- Actinomyces
- Rothia
- Neisseria
- Some gram negative anaerobes