Metatranscriptome and microbial resistome in acute apical abscess

Abstract

Although metatranscriptomics (i.e., the collective gene expression analysis) has been successfully applied for the study of caries and periodontal diseases, it has not yet been applied for the functional analysis of the microbiome in endodontic diseases. Acute apical abscess is the most severe form of endodontic diseases. In some cases, dentoalveolar abscess can spread to other areas of the head and neck and cause serious, life-threatening complications. However, the causes of the severity of endodontic diseases remain unknown. Antibiotics are usually indicated for the urgent management of acute apical abscess with systemic involvement. Resistant bacterial strains have been reported in cases with septic progress, highlighting the increasing challenge for treating severe odontogenic infections. Recently, metagenomics (i.e., the collective genetic material analysis) has expanded the knowledge of the resistome (i.e., the collective antimicrobial resistance genes) in diverse environments. However, to date, no study has used metagenomics to explore the microbial resistome in endodontic diseases. Aims: The aims of this study will be as follows: (a) to investigate the composition of the active microbial communities and their functions in acute apical abscess and asymptomatic apical periodontitis (control); (b) to explore the host response to microbial activities in endodontic infections; and (c) to explore the microbial resistome in endodontic diseases. Methods: Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing will be performed on samples of acute apical abscess and asymptomatic apical periodontitis (control) using Illumina. A total of 20 pairs of metatranscriptome and metagenome will be compared to assess the taxonomic and functional composition of the microbiome in endodontic diseases. This data will be correlated to the inflammatory profile of apical tissues, which will be assessed by Human Cytokine Magnetic 30 - Plex Panel (Novex, ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, USA). Sequencing data will also be used to detect the collection of resistance genes in the samples. (AU)