Abstract: Oral microbes can spread throughout the gastrointestinal system and are linked to multiple diseases. This study analyzed the microbial communities in the saliva and tonsils of Korean children undergoing tonsillectomy due to tonsil hyperplasia (n = 29) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The microbial communities of saliva and tonsils showed high similarities. Treponema, the causative bacterium of periodontitis, had a significant positive correlation in both saliva and tonsils. Prevotella in saliva and Alloprevotella in tonsils were negatively correlated, while Treponema 2 showed a strong positive correlation. Additionally, the study evaluated the correlation between the tonsil microbiome and tonsillar hypertrophy. Children with obesity and tonsillar hypertrophy had similar microbiome compositions. Obesity and tonsillar hypertrophy demonstrated a strong correlation with the Proteobacteria to Firmicutes ratio, and alanine aminotransferase levels increased with obesity and tonsillar hypertrophy, indicating a possible association of the tonsil microbiome with liver metabolism. These findings highlight the significance of the tonsil microbiome and suggest the need for tonsil regulation, particularly during childhood.
Funding Source: This study was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (RS-2023–00210100).
