Bacterial Distribution in Autistic and Non-Autistic Children with Dental Caries, in Thi-Qar Province Iraq | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Medical Microbiology | ||
| Volume 34, Issue 3, July 2025 | ||
| Document Type: New and original researches in the field of Microbiology. | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejmm.2025.370774.1531 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Nawal F. Daish* ; Faten N. Abbas | ||
| Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Thi-Qar, 64001, Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Dental caries is a widespread oral disease, with autistic children potentially being at higher risk due to challenges in maintaining oral hygiene and specific dietary habits. Particularly in Iraq, the role of oral microbiota in autistic individuals remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to isolate bacterial pathogens of dental caries in three groups of children, with special emphasis on Streptococcus mutans and its role in dental caries diseases. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Thi-Qar province, Iraq, including 170 children (70 autistics with dental caries, 70 non-autistic with dental caries, and 30 healthy controls). Dental plaque samples were collected and cultured on selective media. Bacterial isolates were identified using biochemical tests, API 20 Strep, and the VITEK 2 Compact system. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.26. Results: Gram-positive bacteria were the most prevalent (77%), with Streptococcus spp. being the dominant genus (55.34%). Streptococcus mutans was significantly more common in autistic children compared to non-autistic children (p < 0.05). Urban residence was associated with a higher prevalence of dental caries in autistic children, while non-autistic children from rural areas exhibited more bacterial diversity. Conclusion: Autistic children exhibited a distinct bacterial distribution in dental caries, with S. mutans being the predominant pathogen. This highlights the need for targeted oral health interventions to reduce dental caries risk in this population. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Autism; dental caries; Streptococcus mutans; bacterial distribution; oral microbiota | ||
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