Exploring Korean oral microbiome profiles and age-related differences: analysis of 16s rRNA in 2173 individuals and one individual's shotgun data

Abstract

The oral microbiome, a vital microbial community impacting our health, holds potential for disease diagnosis. However, research on the oral microbiome of the South Korean population is limited, and there is a lack of understanding of the relationship between age and oral microbial communities. This study aimed to investigate age-related changes in the oral microbiome of Koreans, contributing to a deeper understanding of oral health and disease prevention.

In the context of limited research on oral microbiomes in South Korea, this study is expected to significantly contribute to public health by providing a profile of the Korean oral microbiome. Particularly, investigating age-related variations in the oral microbiome could lay the foundation for developing age-specific prevention and treatment strategies. For this study, a total of 2,173 oral samples from individuals of various age groups were collected. The samples underwent microbial diversity and abundance analysis through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and additional analyses were conducted on shotgun data for individual samples.

The results demonstrated that there were no substantial variations in the oral microbial communities across different age groups. Specifically, strains that varied with age and those consistently maintained across ages were identified. While some microbial species showed increases or decreases in quantity, certain microbial groups maintained stable levels regardless of age. This study profiles microbes consistently present across different age groups, shedding light on the general characteristics of the Korean oral microbiome across various ages, significantly aiding in the development of customized oral care strategies for specific age groups. These findings can contribute to the advancement of personalized treatment methods for maintaining oral health and preventing diseases. Additionally, this research is expected to provide valuable insights into the medical and public health fields, both domestically and internationally, by stimulating further exploration in the field of oral microbiome research in South Korea.