Oral Bacteria May Signal Risk Of Chronic Liver Disease, New Study Finds

New research suggests that bacteria in the mouth can impact gut health and help identify the risk of chronic liver disease.

Scientists examined saliva and stool samples from 86 patients to study microbial changes linked to liver function.

Advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) results in over two million deaths each year, highlighting the importance of early detection and intervention.

The team at the Technical University of Munich discovered that both oral and gut microbiomes change significantly as liver disease advances.

Remarkably, changes in the oral microbiome were detectable even at early stages of liver dysfunction.

Healthy individuals show distinct bacterial communities in the mouth and gut. In contrast, patients with liver disease exhibited increasingly similar oral and gut microbiomes, with almost identical bacterial strains found in both locations.

Melanie Schirmer, Professor of Translational Microbiome Data Integration at TUM, said, “These strains are typically found in the mouth and are rarely present in the healthy gut. However, we observed increases in the absolute abundances of these oral bacteria in patients with advanced chronic liver disease.”

She further added, “This strongly suggests that these bacteria translocate from the mouth and colonise the gut.”

Researchers identified oral bacteria colonising patients’ intestines and found that higher levels of these microbes in stool were associated with damage to the gut barrier.

Genetic analyses revealed these bacteria carry collagen-degrading enzymes, which laboratory tests confirmed to be active.

“Collagen breakdown can compromise the gut barrier, potentially allowing bacteria and bacterial products to reach other organs, such as the liver. We believe this may worsen the disease,” said Aurelie Cenier, a doctoral researcher and co-first author.

Potential New Therapeutic Approaches

The study further highlights promising approaches to managing ACLD.

Dr Vishal Patel from King’s College London stated, “Our findings open potential new therapeutic strategies for people with advanced chronic liver disease. Protecting or restoring the gut barrier could help slow disease progression. Targeting the oral microbiome offers a way to positively influence the course of the disease and prevent clinical complications.”

This research emphasises the critical role of the oral-gut microbiome in chronic liver disease and provides potential pathways for early detection and therapeutic intervention.

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