Ariadna Adisattya Djais

Objectives: To determine whether stunting modifies periodontal microbial dynamics, inflammatory responses, and short-term responses to oral interventions in children. Materials and Methods: This open-label, non-randomized study included 36 children aged 8–12 years, comprising 18 children with stunting and 18 without stunting. Stunting was defined as a Height-for-Age Z-score below 2 standard deviations according to World Health Organization criteria. Participants received a probiotic, an essential-oil intervention, or no active intervention for 14 days. Gingival swab and dental plaque samples were collected at baseline and Day 14. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola abundance and IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expression were quantified using species or target-specific quantitative PCR. Each outcome was analyzed using a linear mixed effects model incorporating stunting status, treatment, time, and their interactions as fixed effects and participant as a random intercept. Exploratory Spearman correlations were used to evaluate microbial inflammatory relationships. Results: Stunting status was significantly associated with the abundance of both P. gingivalis (p = 0.036) and T. denticola (p = 0.043). For P. gingivalis, a significant stunting status by time interaction was observed (p = 0.008), indicating that its temporal trajectory differed between children with and without stunting. No significant treatment effect or treatment related interaction was detected for either bacterial species. IL-1β expression changed significantly over time (p = 0.027) and displayed substantial interindividual variability, particularly among children with stunting receiving the essential oil intervention; however, its group and treatment related effects were not significant. IL-6 expression remained comparatively stable, with no significant main or interaction effects. Exploratory correlations suggested contrasting cytokine coordination at baseline: IL-1β and IL-6 were positively correlated in children without stunting (r = 0.75) but negatively correlated in children with stunting (r = −0.58). Conclusions: Stunting was associated with differences in periodontal pathogen abundance, a distinct temporal response of P. gingivalis, and altered coordination of inflammatory markers. These findings suggest that nutritional status may modify periodontal microbial–immune relationships and highlight the need for larger randomized studies to determine whether stunting influences responses to oral health interventions.

Veillonella is a common species found in the human oral cavity that plays a significant role in biofilm ecology. Veillonella is known to play a supporting role in colonizing other, more pathogenic species. Its abundant presence in supra- and sub-gingival biofilms is thought to have an associated relationship with red-complex bacterial species. These bacteria are known to be the causative of periodontal disease. Their ability to establish this mutualistic relationship is an important factor that we need to know to expand our understanding of their relationship to the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and to develop more effective treatments.

Background The interaction between Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Veillonella species (Veillonella spp.) is unclear. This study aims to investigate the interaction between S. mutans and Veillonella spp. on caries development using systematic review. Methods This systematic review was accorded to the guideline of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Three electronic databases, namely PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library, were used to conduct a systematic search for eligible studies from their inception until July 18, 2023. PROSPERO registration number was No. CRD42023445968. Results We initially identified 4,774 articles. After eliminating duplicates and irrelevant articles, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies revealed important aspects of the relationship between S. mutans and Veillonella spp. in dental caries. One significant finding is that Veillonella spp. can affect the acid production capacity of S. mutans. Some studies indicate that Veillonella spp. can inhibit the acid production by S. mutans, potentially reducing the cariogenic process. Another aspect is the competition for substrates. Veillonella spp. utilize lactic acid, which is a by product of S. mutans metabolism, as a source of carbon. This metabolic interaction may decrease the availability of lactic acid for S. mutans, potentially influencing its cariogenic potential. Conclusions This systematic review highlights the emerging evidence on the interaction between S. mutans and Veillonella spp. in dental caries. The findings suggest that Veillonella spp. can modulate the acid production, and substrate competition of S. mutans, potentially influencing the cariogenic process.

Background The interaction between Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Veillonella species (Veillonella spp.) is unclear. This study aims to investigate the interaction between S. mutans and Veillonella spp. on caries development using systematic review. Methods This systematic review was accorded to the guideline of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Three electronic databases, namely PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library, were used to conduct a systematic search for eligible studies from their inception until July 18, 2023. PROSPERO registration number was No. CRD42023445968. Results We initially identified 4,774 articles. After eliminating duplicates and irrelevant articles, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies revealed important aspects of the relationship between S. mutans and Veillonellae spp. in dental caries. One significant finding is that Veillonellae spp. can affect the acid production capacity of S. mutans. Some studies indicate that Veillonellae spp. can inhibit the acid production by S. mutans, potentially reducing the cariogenic process. Another aspect is the competition for substrates. Veillonellae spp. utilize lactic acid, which is a by product of S. mutans metabolism, as a source of carbon. This metabolic interaction may decrease the availability of lactic acid for S. mutans, potentially influencing its cariogenic potential. Conclusions This systematic review highlights the emerging evidence on the interaction between S. mutans and Veillonellae spp. in dental caries. The findings suggest that Veillonellae spp. can modulate the acid production, and substrate competition of S. mutans, potentially influencing the cariogenic process.

Impaired development that causes stunting is one of the most common health problems in Indonesia. In particular, the highest number of cases of stunting in Indonesia was reported in the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province. Previous studies have shown a tendency for deteriorating oral hygiene in children with a poor nutritional status. In addition, a higher proportion of oral Veillonella has been reported in children with poor oral hygiene. However, the relationship between populations of oral Veillonella and stunting has not been studied before. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the oral Veillonella profile in the dental biofilms of healthy and stunted children aged 6–7 years. The participants were 60 elementary school students in the Nangapanda District, Ende, NTT, Indonesia. In this study, real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to examine dental biofilm samples from the healthy (n = 31) and stunted (n = 29) groups. The results revealed that seven oral Veillonella species were found in all groups. However, the number of four oral Veillonella species significantly differed between the healthy and stunted groups: V. denticariosi, V. infantium, V. rogosae, and V. tobetsuensis. This is the first study to demonstrate a potential association between oral Veillonella species and stunting in children.

Two strains of previously unknown Gram-negative cocci, T1-7^T and S6-16, were isolated from the oral cavity of healthy Japanese children. The two strains showed atypical phenotypic characteristics of members of the genus Veillonella , including catalase production. Sequencing of their 16S rRNA genes confirmed that they belong to genus Veillonella . Under anaerobic conditions, the two strains produced acetic acid and propionic acid as metabolic end-products in a trypticase–yeast extract–haemin medium containing 1 % (w/v) glucose, 1 % (w/v) fructose and 1 % (v/v) sodium lactate. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA, dnaK, rpoB and gltA gene sequences revealed that the two strains are phylogenetically homogeneous and comprise a distinct, novel lineage within the genus Veillonella . The sequences from the two strains shared the highest similarity, at 99.9, 95.8, 96.9 and 96.7 %, using the partial 16S rRNA, dnaK, rpoB and gltA gene sequences, respectively, with the type strains of the two most closely related species, Veillonella dispar ATCC 17748^T and Veillonella infantium JCM 31738^T. Furthermore, strain T1-7^T shared the highest average nucleotide identity (ANI) value (94.06 %) with type strain of the most closely related species, V. infantium . At the same time, strain T1-7^T showed the highest digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) value (55.5 %) with the type strain of V. infantium . The two strains reported in this study were distinguished from the previously reported species from the genus Veillonella based on catalase production, partial dnaK, rpoB and gltA sequences, average ANI and dDDH values. Based on these observations, the two strains represent a novel species, for which the name Veillonella nakazawae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T1-7^T (JCM 33966^T=CCUG 74597^T).

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Objective: To identify the occurrence of Veillonella spp. in children using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and to determine its role as a risk factor for ECC in children aged 2-3 years. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted and samples from 87 children aged 2-3 years, who lived in selected villages in the Bandung City area, Indonesia, were collected. Examination for dental caries was performed using standard checks for decay, missing, and filled surfaces (dfms), and saliva samples were taken. Microbiological examination was performed using RT-PCR with primers consisting of one primary set for Veillonella spp. and one universal primary set for 16S rDNA. We performed statistical testing using the Mann Whitney rank-sum test. Results: A total of 87 children were sampled, and an ECC prevalence of 71.3% was found, with a mean dmfs of 7.1 (± 9.1). The proportion of Veillonella spp. in caries-free children was 2.13 ± 2.30, while in children with ECC, it was 3.29 ± 6.83. Conclusion: The proportion of Veillonella spp. in children with ECC was higher than in caries-free children; therefore, Veillonella spp. may be a risk factor for ECC.

Background:As the most frequent infectious disease among children worldwide, dental caries have a strong relationship with oral hygiene status, specifically in the development of infection. However, the study regarding the identification and distribution of oralVeillonellaare limited. The oralVeillonellacommunity may affected by the differences in geographical location, age, diet, lifestyle, socio-economic status and oral hygiene status. Here, we studied the oral hygiene status by examining the composition and proportion of oralVeillonellaspecies in saliva of Japanese children. Methods:Microbial samples collected from 15 Japanese children divided into three oral hygiene groups were cultured under anaerobic conditions after homogenization and dilution, and inoculated onto brain heart infusion and selective mediumVeillonellaagar. Genomic DNA was extracted from each isolate.Veillonellaspecies were detected by one-step PCR usingrpoBspecies-specific primers. To analyse the phylogenetic properties of the unknownVeillonellastrains, PCR amplification and sequence analysis ofrpoBwere conducted for 10 representative strains. Results:AlthoughV. rogosaewas found as the predominant species among all groups, its prevalence was significantly lower in the children with poor oral hygiene than in those with good oral hygiene.V. parvulawas the prevalent species in the poor oral hygiene group. Approximately 10% of the isolatedVeillonellastrains were not classified to any established species; the phylogenetic analysis showed that they were most closely related toV. infantium Conclusions:This study demonstrates that the composition and proportion of oralVeillonellaspecies in the saliva of Japanese children is correlated with different oral hygiene status. Changes in detection ratios ofV. parvulaandV. rogosaecan be useful indicators of oral hygiene status. Furthermore, new strains closely related toV. infantiumwere isolated from the saliva of Japanese children.

Background:As the most frequent infectious disease among children worldwide, dental caries have a strong relationship with oral hygiene status, specifically in the development of infection. However, the study regarding the identification and distribution of oralVeillonellaare limited. The oralVeillonellacommunity may affected by the differences in geographical location, age, diet, lifestyle, socio-economic status and oral hygiene status. Here, we studied the oral hygiene status by examining the composition and proportion of oralVeillonellaspecies in saliva of Japanese children. Methods:Microbial samples collected from 15 Japanese children divided into three oral hygiene groups were cultured under anaerobic conditions after homogenization and dilution, and inoculated onto brain heart infusion and selective mediumVeillonellaagar. Genomic DNA was extracted from each isolate.Veillonellaspecies were detected by one-step PCR usingrpoBspecies-specific primers. To analyse the phylogenetic properties of the unknownVeillonellastrains, PCR amplification and sequence analysis ofrpoBwere conducted for 10 representative strains. Results:AlthoughV. rogosaewas found as the predominant species among all groups, its prevalence was significantly lower in the children with poor oral hygiene than in those with good oral hygiene.V. parvulawas the prevalent species in the poor oral hygiene group. Approximately 10% of the isolatedVeillonellastrains were not classified to any established species; the phylogenetic analysis showed that they were most closely related toV. infantium Conclusions:This study demonstrates that the composition and proportion of oralVeillonellaspecies in the saliva of Japanese children is correlated with different oral hygiene status. Changes in detection ratios ofV. parvulaandV. rogosaecan be useful indicators of oral hygiene status. Furthermore, new strains closely related toV. infantiumwere isolated from the saliva of Japanese children.