Little is known about the interactions between the oral mucosa and commensal bacteria that control appropriate host immune responses and inflammation. This study by a team from Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland) finds that these natural defenses are very effective in reducing infection and inflammation and that antibiotics can suppress these natural defenses. Work presented in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology which again highlights the contribution of "good bacteria" and the need for appropriate use of antibiotics.
Because this new research shows that the body's microbes are effective in maintaining immunity and eliminating, by themselves, certain oral infections. The team is also continuing its research in patients living with HIV who have developed oral health problems associated with a weakened immune system.
Here, the demonstration is always the same:Scientists have long known that the overuse of antibiotics can do more harm than good, in particular contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance. Here, the same reasoning applies to oral health: antibiotics actually eliminate the "good" bacteria that maintain infection and short-term inflammation. The researchers looked at the activity of "resident" bacteria, the effects of their fatty acids, and their effects on certain types of white blood cells that fight oral infections. Specifically, the researchers examined, in vitro, the short-term maintenance of Treg and Th-17 cells in the fight against fungal infections, such as Candida, when there are no more bacteria to fight the infection. .
We have good bacteria doing good work every day, why kill them? The conclusion is the same as with many infections, “they will go away on their own”, or at least with the help of our “good” bacteria. So while antibiotics are still needed for life-threatening infections, the researchers add, we have many natural defenses that we need to let operate.
In short, results that are not very surprising but which confirm that also in oral health, the resident microbiota has a key protective role to play.
The team is already working on an NIH research project that involves patients living with HIV who have developed oral health problems related to immunodeficiency.
