31MAR

Welcome To Mediterr J Med Res

Manuscripts are accepted for consideration with understanding that they are represent original material and they are not being considered for publication elsewhere. The editors welcome the submission of relevant articles for editorial consideration. Manuscripts and all scientific and professional data should be addressed to Editor-in-Cheif (Fmosherif@yahoo.com, abdulgbaj1@hotmail.com).

Mediterranean Journal of Medical Research
https://www.mrj.org.ly/article/doi/10.5281/zenodo.18317468

Mediterranean Journal of Medical Research

Short communication Clinical Microbiology

Prevalence of gram-positive cocci in the oral cavity of Libyan smoking students at the Faculty of Medical Technology, Sabha University

Khatema M. Moukhtar, Mohammed A. Nasr

Downloads: 1
Views: 210

Abstract

Oral microbial communities are in direct contact with tobacco smoking, which may affect these communities. This study aimed to investigate whether tobacco smoking alters the microbial diversity in oral fluid, with a focus on Gram-positive bacteria. Forty samples were collected from students at the Faculty of Technology at Sabha University, Libya during 2025. The participants were then divided into two groups: Group 1: Smokers and Group 2: Non-smokers. All the smokers sampled were found to be infected, while the non-smoker students did not have the infection or the type of bacteria required for the study. Two types of bacteria were found in the smokers: type 1 (Streptococcus) and type 2 (Staphylococcus). More people were infected with type 1 than with type 2. Among type 1 smokers, nine smokers did not suffer from dental caries, while five smokers had dental caries and were infected. These findings confirm that tobacco smoking significantly affects Gram-positive salivary microbes.

Keywords

Gram-positive bacteria, Libya, oral fluid, Staphylococcus spp, tobacco smoking

References

  1. Schipper RG, Silletti E, Vingerhoeds MH. Saliva as research material: Biochemical, physicochemical and practical aspects. Archives of Oral Biology. 2007; 52(12): 1114-1135. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2007.06.009
  2. Nasidze I, Li J, Quinque D, Tang K, Stoneking M. Global diversity in the human salivary microbiome. Genome Research. 2009; 19(4): 636-643. doi: 10.1101/gr.084616.108
  3. Stahringer SS, Clemente JC, Corley RP, Hewitt J, Knights D, Walters WA, Krauter KS. Nurture trumps nature in a longitudinal survey of salivary bacterial communities in twins from early adolescence to early adulthood. Genome Research. 2012; 22(11): 2146-2152. doi: 10.1101/gr.140608.112
  4. Yu G, Phillips S, Gail MH, Goedert JJ, Humphrys MS, Ravel J, Caporaso NE. The effect of cigarette smoking on the oral and nasal microbiota. Microbiome. 2017; 5(1): 3. doi: 10.1186/s40168-016-0226-6
  5. Nakonieczna-Rudnicka M, Bachanek T. Number of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus in saliva versus the status of cigarette smoking, considering duration of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked daily. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine. 2017; 24(3): 396-400. doi: 10.5604/12321966.1228952
  6. Macgregor ID. Effects of smoking on oral ecology. A review of the literature. Clinical Preventive Dentistry. 1989; 11(1): 3-7. PMID: 2689047.
  7. More AB, Rodrigues A, Sadhu BJ. Effects of smoking on oral health: Awareness among dental patients and their attitude towards its cessation. Indian Journal of Dental Research. 2021; 32(1): 23-26. doi: 10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_711 _18
  8. National Human Genome Research Institute (2025) Bacteria. https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/ Bacteria
  9. Sizar O, Leslie SW, Unakal CG. Sizar O, Leslie SW, Unakal CG. Gram-positive bacteria. 2023. https://www. ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470553/
  10. Dion CF, Ashurst JV. Streptococcus pneumoniae. 2023; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470537/
  11. Centers for disease control and prevention (2025) Clinical Considerations for Group A Streptococcus. https://www. cdc.gov/group-a-strep/hcp/clinicalguidance/index.html#:~:text=S.,are%20called%20group%20A%20 streptococci
  12. Victoria store government. Department of Health. Streptococcal infection-group A (2023) https://www. Betterhealth .vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/streptococcal-infection-group-a
  13. Foster T. Staphylococcus. Medical Microbiology. 4th edition. Galveston (TX): University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas. 1996; 199-205. PMID: 21413338.
  14. Mokahel LM, Erfida IB. Libyan parents' knowledge and awareness of primary teeth and their importance: A study in Misurata City. Mediterranean Journal of Medical Research. 2025; 2(3): 114-119. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.16790655
  15. Rafi IK. Critical aspects and future directions of root canal treatment to know in dental education: A policy brief. Mediterranean Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences. 2025; 1(3): 1-3. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.17281553
  16. Al-Marzooq F, Al Kawas S, Rahman B, Shearston JA, Saad H, Benzina D, Weitzman M. Supragingival microbiome alternations as a consequence of smoking different tobacco types and its relation to dental caries. Scientific Reports. 2022; 12(1): 2861. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-06907-z
  17. El Magrahi HS, Ashur AM, Agha SM, Khaleel SA, Mousa AM, Atia AE. Evaluation of the antifungal activity of Miswak (Salvadora persica) and toothpaste against oral cavity candida species. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2023; 3(1): 70-76. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7771715
  18. World Health Organization (WHO). Sugars and dental caries (2025). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/ detail/sugars-and-dental-caries
  19. Jebril AO, Abuskhuna SM, Alzorqani AM, Rbeida OA. Effect of smoking duration on salivary α-amylase in Libyan cigarette smokers. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2023; 3(2): 51-58. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.8052923
  20. Kakoei S, Nekouei AH, Kakooei S, Najafipour H. The effect of demographic characteristics on the relationship between smoking and dry mouth in Iran: A cross-sectional, case-control study. Epidemiology and Health. 2021; 43: e2021017. doi: 10.4178/epih.e2021017
  21. Walsh T, Worthington HV, Glenny AM, Marinho VC, Jeroncic A. Fluoride toothpastes of different concentrations for preventing dental caries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2019; 3(3): CD007868. doi: 10.1002/ 14651858.CD007868.pub3
  22. Al-Hammadi AA, Al-Rabai NA, Togoo RA, Zakirulla M, Alshahrani I, Alshahrani A. Knowledge, attitude, and behavior related to use of Miswak (Chewing stick): A cross-sectional study from Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. Contemporary Clinical Dentistry. 2018; 9(Supp 1): S64-S68. doi: 10.4103/ccd.ccd_45_18
  23. Rifaey N, AlAdwani M, Karched M, Baskaradoss JK. A clinical investigation into the efficacy of Miswak chewing sticks as an oral hygiene aid: A crossover randomized trial. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2021; 19(2): 223-230. doi: 10.1111/idh.12484
  24. Rafi IK. Management of halitosis (bad breath) through the use of common medicinal herbs. Mediterranean Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences. 2025; 1(1): 8-13. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.15670263
  25. Ren X, Zhang Y, Xiang Y, Hu T, Cheng R, Cai H. The efficacy of mouthwashes on oral microorganisms and gingivitis in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health. 2023; 23(1): 204. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-02920-4
  26. Dey A, Khan MAS, Eva FN, Islam T, Hawlader MDH. Self-perceived halitosis and associated factors among university students in Dhaka, Bangladesh. BMC Oral Health. 2024; 24(1): 909. doi: 10.1186/s12903-024-04586-y
  27. Meerah WAA. Evaluation of self-medication with antibiotics in the Libyan community. Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2023; 3(1): 77-81. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7771724
  28. Antonello G, Blostein F, Bhaumik D, Davis E, Gögele M, Melotti R, Fuchsberger C. Smoking and salivary microbiota: A cross-sectional analysis of an Italian alpine population. Scientific Reports. 2023; 13(1): 18904. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-42474-7
  29. Grine G, Royer A, Terrer E, Diallo OO, Drancourt M, Aboudharam G. Tobacco smoking affects the salivary gram-positive bacterial population. Frontiers in Public Health. 2019; 2019; 7: 196. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00196
  30. Chattopadhyay S, Malayil L, Chopyk J, Smyth E, Kulkarni P, Raspanti G, Sapkota AR. Oral microbiome dysbiosis among cigarette smokers and smokeless tobacco users compared to non-users. Scientific Reports. 2024; 14(1): 10394. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-60730-2
  31. Rodakowska E, Mazur M, Baginska J, Sierpinska T, La Torre G, Ottolenghi L, Guerra F. Smoking prevalence, attitudes and behavior among dental students in Poland and Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(20): 7451. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17207451
  32. Saxena V, Datla A, Pradhan P, Deheriya M, Tiwari N, Shoukath S. Impact of smokeless and smoking tobacco on subgingival microbial composition: A comparative study. Epidemiological Review/Przegląd Epidemiologiczny. 2025; 79(1): 95-103. doi: 10.32394/pe/203721
  33. Bašić K, Peroš K, Bošnjak Z, Šutej I. Subgingival microbiota profile in association with cigarette smoking in young adults: A cross-sectional study. Dentistry Journal. 2021; 9(12): 150. doi: 10.3390/dj9120150
  34. Mohammed LI, Razali R, Zakaria ZZ, Benslimane FM, Cyprian F, Al-Asmakh M. Smoking induced salivary microbiome dysbiosis and is correlated with lipid biomarkers. BMC Oral Health. 2024; 24(1): 608. doi: 10.1186/s 12903-024-04340-4
  35. Ying KL, Brasky TM, Freudenheim JL, McElroy JP, Nickerson QA, Song MA, Shields PG. Saliva and lung microbiome associations with electronic cigarette use and smoking. Cancer Prevention Research. 2022; 15(7): 435-446. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-21-0601

Submitted date:
10/17/2025

Reviewed date:
01/08/2026

Accepted date:
01/10/2026

Publication date:
01/20/2026

696fca03a95395653c0c98c7 mjpe Articles
Links & Downloads

Mediterr J Med Res

Share this page
Page Sections