Study on oral microbial flora and antibiotic sensitivity pattern among oral cancer patients in a tertiary cancer care center

Introduction: In recent times, the interaction between cancer and the microbiome has been emphasized. Most studies have focused on the gut microbiota and gastric cancer. However, more attention should be paid on oral microflora as the gastrointestinal tract begins in the oral cavity. The aim of this study is to isolate and identify aerobic microbes present in oral cancer patients and identify their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics profiles in oral cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out in a randomly selected cohort of oral cancer patients at Malabar cancer center Thalasseri for a period of 1 year. Samples were collected from oral cancer patients and subjected for microbiological examination for colony characters, morphology on Gram stain as well for antibiotic sensitivity for different drugs. Results: Of the 96 oral cancer patients, isolated bacterial colonies showed a mixture of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Streptococcus species (n = 28) were seen in high number in case of gram-positive organisms, while in gram-negative bacteria (GNB) Klebsiella species (n = 13) was high in number. Among the control group (n = 25), Neisseria flava (n = 11) was the predominant species. All oral cancer patients showed 80% of susceptibility to every class of antibiotics used. Conclusion: This study showed 80% of susceptibility to every class of commonly used antibiotics. But results are not similar in other parts of world. Antimicrobial resistance is emerging among cancer patients. Advancement and monitoring of the microbiota will improve our understanding of the role of the microbiota in carcinogenesis and open new perceptions for future therapeutic and prophylactic modalities.