Dysbiosis of oral bacteria in patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background Oral bacteria are altered in patients with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. However, the oral microbiome of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including those receiving renal replacement therapy, remains unclear. Here, we report changes in the oral microbiome of patients with CKD. Methods In total, 103 individuals were recruited for this study, including 46 with stages 3–5 and 22 with stage 5D CKD, including those receiving renal replacement therapy (CKD group), and 35 with CKD stages 1–2. The oral microbiome composition was analyzed using a 16S ribosomal RNA gene-based sequencing protocol. Results At the genus level, the periodontal pathogens Tannerella, Fusobacterium, and Capnocytophaga were more abundant in the CKD group (stages 3–5) than in the control group (linear discriminant analysis score > 3). Streptococcus, which has been shown to be involved in dental plaque formation, and Capnocytophaga were abundant in the CKD group (stage 5D). The unweighted UniFrac distance revealed a separation trend among CKD stages 1–2, 3–5, and 5D groups (stages 1–2 versus 3–5: P = 0.137. ; stages 3–5 versus 5D: P = 0.002). As the CKD stage progressed, the number of bacteria with significant differences qualitative and quantitative changes were observed in the β-diversity assessment. Conclusions Our findings highlight that periodontal disease bacteria increased in the CKD (stages 3–5 and 5D) group, including those receiving renal replacement therapy.