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World J Meta-Anal. Sep 18, 2026; 14(3): 121388
Published online Sep 18, 2026. doi: 10.13105/wjma.121388
Published online Sep 18, 2026. doi: 10.13105/wjma.121388
Gut microbiota axis in periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of inflammatory and microbial interactions
Neelam Das, Department of Periodontology, Sri Sai College of Dental Surgery, Vikarabad 501102, Telangana, India
Author contributions: Das N and an independent reviewer performed the literature search, study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment; Das N performed the statistical analysis; Das N drafted the manuscript and revised it critically for important intellectual content; Das N approved the final version of the manuscript and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author declares no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The author has read the PRISMA 2020 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2020 Checklist.
Corresponding author: Neelam Das, Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, Sri Sai College of Dental Surgery, 1-2-64/1 and 2, Kothrepally, Alampally, Vikarabad 501102, Telangana, India. dasneelam423@gmail.com
Received: March 24, 2026
Revised: May 12, 2026
Accepted: June 23, 2026
Published online: September 18, 2026
Processing time: 171 Days and 22.9 Hours
Revised: May 12, 2026
Accepted: June 23, 2026
Published online: September 18, 2026
Processing time: 171 Days and 22.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This updated systematic review and meta-analysis up to January 2026 shows that gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with increased periodontal disease severity. Reduced microbial diversity, altered Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, enrichment of pro inflammatory taxa, and depletion of short chain fatty acid producing bacteria were consistently observed. These changes correlated with elevated systemic inflammatory markers and worse periodontal clinical parameters. The findings support the role of the gut microbiota axis in periodontal disease and highlight its potential relevance for future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.