(PR018) Insights into the Bacteriome and Mycobiome of Root Canals and Associated Gingival Tissues in Teeth with Normal Vital Pulp and Healthy Periodontal Tissues

The oral microbiome plays a crucial role in overall health, with complex interactions between bacteria and fungi shaping both healthy and disease states. This study investigated the bacteriome and mycobiome in root canals (RCs) and gingival sulcus (GSs) of teeth with vital pulp and healthy periodontal tissues, using Amplicon Sequencing (NGS). Microbial samples were collected from RCs and adjacent GSs of 10 patients undergoing RC treatment for prosthetic reasons. Metagenomic DNA was extracted, followed by amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA and fungal ITS regions using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Bioinformatics analysis was then conducted to classify bacterial and fungal taxa present in the samples. The findings showed distinct microbial profiles between sites. In RCs, Firmicutes (85.94%) and Proteobacteria (9.95%) were the most prevalent phyla, with Streptococcus oralis, Staphylococcus caprae, and Enterococcus faecalis being the most abundant species. GSs exhibited a similar distribution, with Firmicutes (89.32%) and Proteobacteria (6.57%) being the most prevalent phyla, along with the presence of Bacteroidetes and Spirochaetes. Streptococcus intermedius, Streptococcus spp., and Veillonella spp. were prevalent in RCs and GSs, suggesting potential microbial communication between these areas. Fungi, including Candida species, comprised 3.2% of the microbial community in vital pulp samples, suggesting a potential invasion from deeper tissue layers into the pulp. In conclusion, the interactions between fungi and bacteria, such as Streptococcus and Enterococcus, suggest a synergistic relationship where fungi may facilitate bacterial colonization.