Investigation of bacteriophage as source of oral antimicrobials
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of bacteriophage as potential source of oral antimicrobials
IRAS ID
186132
Contact name
Mohammed Al-Zubidi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Dental plaque is a biofilm or mass of bacteria that grows on surfaces within the mouth. It appears as a white/pale yellow "slime layer", that is commonly found between the teeth and its contacts with the gum. Dental plaque can give rise to dental caries (tooth decay—the localised destruction of the tissues of the tooth by acid produced from the bacterial degradation of fermentable sugar) and gum diseases such as periodontitis (inflammation and destruction of the gum surrounding the teeth). It is composed mainly from bacteria that are embedded in organic and inorganic materials derived from food and saliva. Recently, data from published papers indicate the presence of viruses along side the bacteria in dental plaque, these viruses only infect the bacteria (and not humans). These are called Bacteriophage viruses (bacterial eaten viruses) and are considered as novel treatment agents for bacterial infections in humans.
The aims of this study are to investigate the presence of the viruses (Bacteriophages) and virus DNA (Prophages) in samples taken from saliva and dental plaque. We then aim to extract these viruses from the samples and test their ability to kill gum disease causing bacteria. If successful these might be used as therapy for eliminating the bacteria that have been associated with gum diseases.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0033
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion