Role of the oral microbiome in chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis in children and adolescents

bjectives: To identify the role and interplay of the oral microbiome in children and adolescents with chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) in respect of age distribution, gender differences, change upon medication, disease activity and the influence of body site. Results: The administration of immunomodulatory medication led to a shift of the microbiome (p < 0.02). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in bacterial communities between age group 3-8 years and age group 9-14 years. Significant differences were seen in bacterial colonization on different sites in the oral cavity showing a predominance of Streptococcus salivarius in the center and Hämophilus influenza on the left side of the tongue. No significant change of the microbiome could be noted in respect of gender and disease activity. Conclusions: We present first results of a pilot study in children and adolescents with a rare autoinflammatory bone disease. Differences in age, body site and the administration of medication reveal significant modifications of the microbiome underscoring the relevance of this environmental factor in the etiopathogenesis of CNO.