Study highlights oral microbiome's role in early dental disease detection

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A study conducted by Waltham Petcare Science Institute, ‘Real-World Diagnostic Potential of Bacterial Biomarkers of Canine Periodontitis’ demonstrated the oral microbiome can offer veterinary professionals crucial information that could be key for early detection of canine periodontal disease, which can possibly enhance a patient’s quality of life.

According to the release,¹ the study was published by Frontiers in Veterinary Science and demonstrated the diagnostic accuracy of a molecular technique to the test with real world validation. The study found that using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) screening, a way to identify diseases-associated bacteria in dogs, can detect microbial biomarkers specifically associated with canine periodontitis from a single dental plaque sample accurately.¹ This research is the second investigation that Waltham conducted in support of molecular screening tests for periodontal disease.

Waltham’s first study ‘Developing diagnostic tools for canine periodontitis: combining molecular techniques and machine learning models’ was originally published in September 2023 by the BMC Veterinary Research.² The study demonstrated the potential use of microbial data to create canine-specific molecular biomarkers when screening of periodontal disease.

Each study underscores the possibility of molecular diagnostic protocols as a way to facilitate detection of periodontal diseases earlier as well as support an accurate diagnosis of this common yet often under-diagnosed condition through a single oral sample. Waltham Petcare Sciences Institute believes the combined data and findings from both studies could significantly improve the health and wellbeing of canine patients.

“Waltham Petcare Science Institute is committed to advancing research into the oral microbiome of pets, building knowledge on the role of the bacterial associations between periodontal health and disease. Through this, we hope to uncover ways to better detect and manage periodontal disease early,” said Kay O’Donnell, vice president of science at Waltham Petcare Science Institute.

“Working with our network of animal hospitals, researchers at Waltham Petcare Science Institute have highlighted the potential of molecular screening tests in advancing current veterinary practice through early detection, which could support improved oral health of dogs, and consequently, better long-term health outcomes.”

Researchers in the study collected plaque samples from 127 client-owned dogs that attended VCA Animal Hospitals for a prescribed, pre-planned dental procedure that required the patient go under general anesthesia. The researchers also did visual examinations and collected supragingival plaque samples from conscious canine patients.¹ Detailed clinical assessments under general anesthesia, radiographs, and collection of additional plaque samples were also collected and were analyzed at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. qPCR assays was then used to detect bacterial biomarkers associated specifically with canine periodontitis.

Researchers discovered that with the supragingival plaque samples they received from conscious dogs indicated the test had 80.9% accuracy when compared to the clinical evaluation from canines under general anesthesia by a professional. The proportion of true positive results, also known as the sensitivity, was 81.0% and the proportion of true negative results, the specificity, was 80.0%.³ 

References

1. Key research adds to growing evidence in support of molecular screening tests for canine periodontal disease. News release. Mars Science & Diagnostics. July 30, 2024. Accessed August 14, 2024.
2. Avika Ruparell, Gibbs M, Colyer A, Wallis C, Harris S, Holcombe LJ. Developing diagnostic tools for canine periodontitis: combining molecular techniques and machine learning models. BMC Veterinary Research. 2023;19(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03668-3
3. Wallis CV, M Soltero-Rivera, Harvey C, et al. Real-world diagnostic potential of bacterial biomarkers of canine periodontitis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2024;11. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1377119