Impact of Periodontal Disease on the Oral Microbiome of Cats

Abstract

Periodontal disease is a multifactorial condition commonly observed in domestic cats, characterized by inflammation and alveolar bone loss. This study aimed to elucidate the differences in the oral microbiome between healthy cats and those with periodontitis, focusing on microbial community structure and preliminary functionality. An observational case-control study was conducted involving 30 cats, divided equally into healthy and periodontitis groups. Gingival swabs were collected and analyzed using V3_V4 regions of the 16S rRNA sequencing. The results revealed that while the dominant phyla in both groups were Bacteroidota and Bacillota, cats with periodontitis exhibited decreased levels of Ochrobactrum, Odoribacter denticanis, Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas macacae, and Fretibacterium fastidiosum which are the characteristics of the periodontal oral microbiome. Predicted function indicated the enrichment of pathways related to the biosynthesis of fatty acids in periodontal disease, such as ubiquinol and mycolate production. These findings highlight significant microbial and functional shifts associated with feline periodontal disease, providing a basis for potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.