Subgingival Microbiota in Vietnamese vs. German
Studies have reported ethnic differences in the prevalence and severity of periodontitis. In addition to differences in diet, oral hygiene habits or age structure, differences in the subgingival microbiota may also be a cause. Previous studies have reported poorer oral health among Vietnamese compared to subjects of Northern European origin. As there is a large population of Vietnamese living in the territory of the former German Democratic Republic and Berlin, it was possible to perform periodontal and microbiological examinations on a corresponding cohort. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the clinical and microbial findings of periodontitis patients of Vietnamese and German origin. A total of 60 at least stage II periodontitis patients (Vietnamese n = 30, age 55 years, 33.3% men; German n = 30, age 54.5 years, 40% men) were included in the study. Periodontal diagnosis was made according to the new classification of periodontal disease. Pooled subgingival plaque samples were analysed by next generation sequencing (NGS) (MiSeq-Plattform (Illumina). German patients had significantly more pack years (12.0 vs. 0), significantly higher body mass index (26 vs. 22.6 kg/m2), pocket depth (4.1 vs. 3.6 mm), clinical attachment loss (5 vs. 4.1 mm) and caries experience assessed as decayed missing filled/tooth index (DMF/T) (17.3 vs. 10.3). The microbial findings showed a significantly increased beta diversity in the German patients (p = 0.0003). The microbiota of both groups differed most significantly in the relative abundance of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Vietnamese) and Fusobacteriia. (German). The results show a higher need for cariological and periodontological treatment in the German study group. Anti-infective therapy should be directed primarily against P. gingivalis in Vietnamese and against Fusobacteriia in Germans.