Files and links (1)
Rubinov Thesis Final 2.16 MB
Embargoed Access, Embargo ends: 06/26/2027
Thesis
Influence of biological sex on the microbiome in periodontal health and disease
University of Iowa
Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
DOI: 10.25820/etd.007940
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Sex is a well-established factor in the pathogenesis of systemic inflammatory diseases, yet its role in shaping the oral microbiome remains underexplored. Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of the teeth, is influenced by both microbial dysbiosis and host response. While sex differences in immune regulation and disease severity have been observed clinically, the microbial basis for these differences is poorly understood. Recent literature has proposed frameworks such as the “microgenderome” and “microsexome,” which describe sex-specific microbial patterns across various body sites. However, limited studies have investigated whether these distinctions extend to the oral cavity in health and disease. This study aimed to characterize sex-based differences in oral microbial diversity and composition in systemically healthy individuals with and without periodontitis.
METHODS
Subgingival plaque samples were collected from 108 systemically healthy adults (51 with periodontitis, 57 with healthy periodontium) at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Participants were grouped by periodontal status and sex. 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V3–V4 region) was performed to characterize microbial communities. Alpha and beta diversity metrics were used to assess microbial richness and community structure. Core microbiome analysis, differential abundance testing, and clustering via LDA and ROC analysis were conducted to identify sex-specific microbial signatures.
RESULTS
In healthy individuals, no significant difference in alpha diversity was observed between sexes. However, in periodontitis, females demonstrated significantly greater microbial richness compared to males. Beta diversity analysis revealed distinct clustering by disease status and partial separation by sex. Core microbiome comparisons showed that healthy females retained a broader set of health-associated taxa, while males with periodontitis exhibited a narrower, dysbiotic microbial profile dominated by Fusobacterium, Prevotella, and Treponema spp. Differential abundance analysis identified several sex-enriched taxa across both health and disease states. ROC analysis demonstrated robust classification of health by sex, particularly in females, while microbial profiles in males with periodontitis were more heterogeneous.
CONCLUSION
This studies aim was to characterize sex-specific differences in the oral microbiome using plaque samples in the context of periodontal health and disease. Findings support the existence of sexually dimorphic microbial signatures, with distinct diversity and taxonomic profiles emerging in disease states. Females demonstrated more consistent microbial structure and richness, while males showed greater variability and dominance of pathogenic taxa. These results highlight biological sex as a critical variable in periodontal research and suggest that sex-informed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies may enhance clinical outcomes in periodontology.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Influence of biological sex on the microbiome in periodontal health and disease
- Creators
- Aleksandr Rubinov
- Contributors
- Sukirth Ganesan (Advisor)Shareef Dabdoub (Committee Member)Sivaraman Prakasam (Committee Member)Georgia Johnson (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Oral Science
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.007940
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- x, 35 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Aleksandr Rubinov
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 04/25/2025
- Description illustrations
- Illustrations, graphs, charts
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 33-35).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, affects nearly half of adults in the United States and has been linked to serious health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While many risk factors for periodontal disease are well understood, such as poor oral hygiene, smoking, and systemic illness, the role of biological sex in shaping the oral microbiome remains underexplored. This study investigated whether men and women differ in the types and diversity of oral bacteria found in both health and disease.
Subgingival plaque samples were collected from individuals with healthy gums and from those diagnosed with periodontitis. Using advanced genetic sequencing techniques, bacterial communities were analyzed and compared across sex and disease status. The results revealed that women, particularly those with gum disease, exhibited greater bacterial diversity and more consistent microbial profiles. In contrast, men with periodontitis showed reduced microbial diversity and higher variability in the types of bacteria present. Additionally, several bacterial species were found to be enriched in one sex over the other, suggesting that biological sex influences not only the makeup of the oral microbiome but potentially its response to disease.
These findings highlight the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in oral health research. A better understanding of how sex-related microbial differences impact periodontal disease could lead to more personalized approaches in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for both men and women.
- Academic Unit
- Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984830728902771
Metrics
7 Record Views