Oral Dysbiosis May Antedate Rheumatoid Arthritis Save

A study of oral microbiome in anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) positive at-risk individuals without synovitis (CCP+at risk) shows dysbiotic subgingival microbiomes and increased abundance of P. gingivalis compared with controls.

Periodontitis and a Porphyromonas gingivalis dominant oral microbiome has been seen in established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Interestingly, P. gingivalis is capable of local citrullination that may lead to anti-citrullinated protein antibody production. Using CCP+, at risk individuals, these studies sought to clarify if oral oral dysbiosis precedes the onset of clinical RA. arthritis.

Periodontal, subgingival plaque was used to compare the subgingival microbiome between 48 CCP+at risk, 26 early RA and 32 asymptomatic healthy controls (HC). .

CCP+at risk individuals had significantly lower microbial diversity compared with HC and early RA groups (p=0.004 and 0.021).

The oral microbiome of CCP+at risk individuals was significantly different than controls, with an abundance of P. gingivalis, and other species, were significantly over-represented in the CCP+at risk group (adjusted p value <0.05).

These data demonstrate significant dysbiosis of the oral microbiome precedes the onset of RA, in those with a high risk of developing RA.