Bacterial diversity in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, 2017-04, Vol.123 (4), p.436-444
• Main Authors: Hallmer, Fredrik, DDS, Bjørnland, Tore, DDS, Dr odont, Andersson, Gunilla, DDS, Odont dr, Becktor, Jonas P., DDS, Med dr, Kristoffersen, Anne K, Enersen, Morten, DDS, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 80 and over; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bacteria; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Biopsy; Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw; Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw - microbiology; Dentistry; Female; Humans; Male; Necrosis; Necrosis - microbiology; Oral Surgery & Medicine; Surgery
• ISSN: 2212-4403; 2212-4411; 2212-4411
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2016.11.011

Objective The aim was to study the association between microflora and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) by using culture-independent molecular techniques to detect bacteria in necrotic bone lesions. Study Design Included were 18 consecutive patients with MRONJ, 10 with osteoporosis and 8 cancer patients. Bone biopsies were retrieved from the center of the necrotic bone and from visually healthy bone, and 16 S rRNA gene fragments from bacterial DNA were amplified with polymerase chain reaction. Results The study revealed a diversity of bacteria represented by 16 S rRNA sequences in all the necrotic bone samples and in 60% of the visually healthy bone. Eight dominating taxa groups were identified at the genus level: Porphyromonas, Lactobacillus , Tannerella , Prevotella, Actinomyces , Treponema, Streptococcus, and Fusobacterium. Conclusions The necrotic bone lesions contained mainly anaerobic bacteria, representative of periodontal microflora, suggesting that a periodontal infection in combination with antiresorptive treatment could initiate osteonecrosis.