Chlorhexidine digluconate mouthwash alters the oral microbial composition and affects the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Sibylle Bartsch - , University Medical Center Freiburg (Author)
  • Eva Kohnert - , University Medical Center Freiburg (Author)
  • Clemens Kreutz - , University Medical Center Freiburg (Author)
  • Johan P. Woelber - , University Medicine (Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital), Department of Dental Maintenance, Periodontology, Department of Dental Maintenance (Author)
  • Annette Anderson - , University Medical Center Freiburg (Author)
  • Ann Sophie Burkhardt - , University Medical Center Freiburg (Author)
  • Elmar Hellwig - , University Medical Center Freiburg (Author)
  • Wolfgang Buchalla - , University of Regensburg (Author)
  • Karl Anton Hiller - , University of Regensburg (Author)
  • Petra Ratka-Krueger - , University Medical Center Freiburg (Author)
  • Fabian Cieplik - , University Medical Center Freiburg, University of Regensburg (Author)
  • Ali Al-Ahmad - , University Medical Center Freiburg (Author)

Abstract

Introduction: Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a commonly used antiseptic in situations of limited oral hygiene ability such as after periodontal surgery. However, CHX is also considered as a possible factor in the emergence of cross-resistance to antibiotics. The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in the oral microbiota and the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) due to CHX treatment. Materials and methods: We analyzed the oral metagenome of 20 patients who applied a 0.2% CHX mouthwash twice daily for 4 weeks following periodontal surgical procedures. Saliva and supragingival plaque samples were examined before, directly after 4 weeks, and another 4 weeks after discontinuing the CHX treatment. Results: Alpha-diversity decreased significantly with CHX use. The Bray–Curtis dissimilarity increased in both sample sites and mainly streptococci showed a higher relative abundance after CHX treatment. Although no significant changes of ARGs could be detected, an increase in prevalence was found for genes that encode for tetracycline efflux pumps. Conclusion: CHX treatment appears to promote a caries-associated bacterial community and the emergence of tetracycline resistance genes. Future research should focus on CHX-related changes in the microbial community and whether the discovered tetracycline resistance genes promote resistance to CHX.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number1429692
Number of pages11
JournalFrontiers in microbiology
Volume15 (2024)
Publication statusPublished - 25 Jun 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • antibiotics, caries, chlorhexidine, cross-resistance, efflux pump, metagenome, streptococci, tetracycline