Microbial Changes Occurring During Oronasal Fistula Wound Healing

The oral microbiome is a complex community that matures with dental development and is recognized as a risk factor for systemic disease. Despite the oral cavity having a substantial microbial burden, healing of superficial oral wounds occurs quickly and with little scarring. By contrast, creation of...

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Main Authors: Steven L. Goudy, Heath L. Bradley, Camilo Anthony Gacasan, Afra Toma, Keerthi Priya Chinniampalayam Sekar, William M. Wuest, Martin Tomov, Vahid Serpooshan, Ahmet Coskun, Rheinallt M. Jones
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/327
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author Steven L. Goudy
Heath L. Bradley
Camilo Anthony Gacasan
Afra Toma
Keerthi Priya Chinniampalayam Sekar
William M. Wuest
Martin Tomov
Vahid Serpooshan
Ahmet Coskun
Rheinallt M. Jones
author_facet Steven L. Goudy
Heath L. Bradley
Camilo Anthony Gacasan
Afra Toma
Keerthi Priya Chinniampalayam Sekar
William M. Wuest
Martin Tomov
Vahid Serpooshan
Ahmet Coskun
Rheinallt M. Jones
author_sort Steven L. Goudy
collection DOAJ
description The oral microbiome is a complex community that matures with dental development and is recognized as a risk factor for systemic disease. Despite the oral cavity having a substantial microbial burden, healing of superficial oral wounds occurs quickly and with little scarring. By contrast, creation of an oro-nasal fistula (ONF), often occurring after surgery to correct a cleft palate, is a significant wound healing challenge. Methods: In this study, we characterized the changes in the oral microbiome of mice following a freshly inflicted wound in the oral palate that results in an open and unhealed ONF. Results: Creation of an ONF in mice significantly lowered oral microbiome alpha diversity, with concurrent blooms of <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>, <i>Staphylococcus lentus</i>, and Staphylococcus xylosus in the oral cavity. Treatment with oral antibiotics one week before ONF infliction reduced microbiome alpha diversity and prevented <i>E. faecalis</i>, <i>S. lentus</i>, and S. xylosus blooms, but did not impact ONF healing. Conclusions: An ONF in the murine palate leads to a dysbiotic oral microbiome and a bloom of opportunistic pathogens that may prevent ONF healing. Delivery of therapeutics that accelerate ONF healing might restore oral microbiome diversity and inhibit blooms of opportunistic pathogens.
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spelling doaj-art-23aee2b029374b388ebd2eacbe35f43e2025-08-20T02:04:02ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-02-0113232710.3390/microorganisms13020327Microbial Changes Occurring During Oronasal Fistula Wound HealingSteven L. Goudy0Heath L. Bradley1Camilo Anthony Gacasan2Afra Toma3Keerthi Priya Chinniampalayam Sekar4William M. Wuest5Martin Tomov6Vahid Serpooshan7Ahmet Coskun8Rheinallt M. Jones9Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30329, USADepartment of Otolaryngology, Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30329, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30329, USADepartment of Otolaryngology, Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30329, USADepartment of Otolaryngology, Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30329, USADepartment of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30329, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30329, USADepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30329, USAThe oral microbiome is a complex community that matures with dental development and is recognized as a risk factor for systemic disease. Despite the oral cavity having a substantial microbial burden, healing of superficial oral wounds occurs quickly and with little scarring. By contrast, creation of an oro-nasal fistula (ONF), often occurring after surgery to correct a cleft palate, is a significant wound healing challenge. Methods: In this study, we characterized the changes in the oral microbiome of mice following a freshly inflicted wound in the oral palate that results in an open and unhealed ONF. Results: Creation of an ONF in mice significantly lowered oral microbiome alpha diversity, with concurrent blooms of <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>, <i>Staphylococcus lentus</i>, and Staphylococcus xylosus in the oral cavity. Treatment with oral antibiotics one week before ONF infliction reduced microbiome alpha diversity and prevented <i>E. faecalis</i>, <i>S. lentus</i>, and S. xylosus blooms, but did not impact ONF healing. Conclusions: An ONF in the murine palate leads to a dysbiotic oral microbiome and a bloom of opportunistic pathogens that may prevent ONF healing. Delivery of therapeutics that accelerate ONF healing might restore oral microbiome diversity and inhibit blooms of opportunistic pathogens.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/327oro-nasal fistula (ONF)oral microbiomeantibiotics
spellingShingle Steven L. Goudy
Heath L. Bradley
Camilo Anthony Gacasan
Afra Toma
Keerthi Priya Chinniampalayam Sekar
William M. Wuest
Martin Tomov
Vahid Serpooshan
Ahmet Coskun
Rheinallt M. Jones
Microbial Changes Occurring During Oronasal Fistula Wound Healing
Microorganisms
oro-nasal fistula (ONF)
oral microbiome
antibiotics
title Microbial Changes Occurring During Oronasal Fistula Wound Healing
title_full Microbial Changes Occurring During Oronasal Fistula Wound Healing
title_fullStr Microbial Changes Occurring During Oronasal Fistula Wound Healing
title_full_unstemmed Microbial Changes Occurring During Oronasal Fistula Wound Healing
title_short Microbial Changes Occurring During Oronasal Fistula Wound Healing
title_sort microbial changes occurring during oronasal fistula wound healing
topic oro-nasal fistula (ONF)
oral microbiome
antibiotics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/2/327
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