Health-Associated Niche Inhabitants as Oral Probiotics: The Case ofStreptococcus dentisani.
Oral diseases, including dental caries and periodontitis, are among the most prevalent diseases worldwide and develop as a consequence of a microbial dysbiosis. Several bacterial strains are being tested as potential oral health-promoting organisms, but usually they are species isolated from niches other than the site where they must exert its probiotic action, typically from fecal samples. We hypothesize that oral inhabitants associated to health conditions will be more effective than traditional, gut-associated probiotic species in key aspects such as colonization of the oral site where disease takes place or the possession of oral health promoting functions, as well as more practical issues like safety and toxicity, and establishing proper doses for administration. As an example of theseactive colonizers, we describe the case ofStreptococcus dentisani, a new streptococcal species isolated from dental plaque of caries-free individuals. We have detected it in 98% of dental plaque samples from healthy individuals and, as expected, it does not produce any toxic secondary metabolite and does not survive a simulated stomach digestion, preventing potential secondary effects. Besides, this species has a double probiotic action, as it inhibits the growth of major oral pathogens through the production of bacteriocins, and also buffers acidic pH (the primary cause of dental caries) through an arginolytic pathway. We propose the use ofS. dentisanias a promising probiotic against tooth decay.
Department of Health and Genomics, Center for Advanced Research in Public Health, FISABIO Foundation Valencia, Spain.
Arantxa
A
López-López
Department of Health and Genomics, Center for Advanced Research in Public Health, FISABIO Foundation Valencia, Spain.
Anny
A
Camelo-Castillo
Department of Health and Genomics, Center for Advanced Research in Public Health, FISABIO Foundation Valencia, Spain.
María D
MD
Ferrer
Department of Health and Genomics, Center for Advanced Research in Public Health, FISABIO Foundation Valencia, Spain.
Áurea
Á
Simon-Soro
Department of Health and Genomics, Center for Advanced Research in Public Health, FISABIO Foundation Valencia, Spain.
Alex
A
Mira
Streptococcus dentisani; arginolytic pathway; bacteriocins; dental caries; pH buffering; probiotics