Sex-specific variations in subgingival microbiome of elderly patients with moderate periodontitis: an exploratory study

Abstract

Introduction Periodontitis, a leading cause of alveolar bone destruction and tooth loss, is associated with oral microbiota dysbiosis and shows higher susceptibility in males than in females. This study investigated sex-specific variations in the subgingival microbiome of elderly patients with moderate periodontitis. Methods Subgingival plaque samples were collected from 25 patients with moderate periodontitis (8 males, 17 females; aged 50-73 years). The microbial composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V3–V4 region). Functional prediction was conducted utilizing the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. Results Males exhibited higher Chao1 diversity, and beta diversity analysis revealed sex-based clustering. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and LEfSe analysis identified Lactobacillus was enriched in females. KEGG analysis predicted a trend of enrichment of Immune system and Metabolic pathways in females. Conclusion This exploratory study observed sex-specific subgingival microbiome variations of elderly patients with moderate periodontitis. Females exhibited specific enrichment of Lactobacillus , which may be associated with predicted Immune system and Metabolic pathways. These findings suggest that sex-specific microbiome differences may be a relevant biological variable in future periodontitis research, and their potential link to alveolar bone loss deserves further exploration.