Investigations of the Oral Microbiota in Health and Disease in Companion Animals

Dear Colleagues,

Current techniques for microbiome analysis have revolutionized our understanding of the crosstalk between the host immune system and host-associated microbes in both healthy and diseased states. Complex ecosystems of microorganisms live in association with animal hosts, and of these, the microbial ecosystems in the oral cavity are amongst the most complex. Commensal bacteria in oral mucosa play key roles in the development and functioning of the host immune system. Likewise, the immune systems of companion animals have co-evolved to support this alliance with commensal bacteria.

Mucosal surfaces in the oral cavity are continually barraged with food and airborne antigens entering the gastrointestinal tract that may trigger immune responses. At the same time the oral mucosa provide barriers to colonization and penetration by infectious agents. Interactions between the microbiome and innate and adaptive arms of host immunity help the host to respond appropriately to these triggers. Depletion of commensal bacteria in the microbiome because of antibiotic use may be contributing to a rise in allergies, autoimmune conditions, and inflammatory disorders.

The focus of this series is to highlight publications that elucidate the role of the oral microbiome in companion animal medicine. The scope will include investigations in oral health and disease states which are inflammatory, neoplastic, or immune mediated in nature. Disease states such as Feline Gingivostomatitis, tooth resorption, periodontal disease, oral neoplasms, and idiopathic immune disorders are relevant.

Through this targeted series we aim to add meaningful content to the current body of veterinary literature on the role of the oral microbiome in health and disease. We invite manuscripts of original clinical research addressing veterinary microbiology and oral health in companion animals.

Dr. Jamie Gail Anderson
Dr. Holly H. Ganz
Dr. Elisa Scarsella
Guest Editors

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