Characteristics of the Health‐Associated Oral Microbiome in Young Nonhuman Primates

ABSTRACT Nonhuman primates have been shown to develop periodontitis with clinical and demographic features similar to humans. This preclinical disease model is well‐positioned to advance the elucidation of novel biologic‐based preventive and therapeutic approaches to controlling periodontitis, a chronic infection and immunoinflammatory disease. In this analysis, the oral microbiomes of younger (10–19 human years; n = 30) nonhuman primates are compared for matriline (an indicator of heritability), sex, and age variations. A holistic assessment of the microbiome similarities/differences suggested two primary conclusions in this younger group of orally healthy nonhuman primates. First, at the microbiome level of phyla, orders, and families, the ecology was relatively similar across sexes, matrilines, and age groups. However, at the genus level, matriline, sex, or age differences were observed. Of interest was that the principal differential genus proportions with matriline and age were similar, but somewhat unique with the sex comparison. These genus differences encompassed microorganisms generally consider