Development of a novel tongue biofilm index using bacterial biofluorescence
Abstract Conventional methods for assessing tongue bacterial biofilms have low inter-examiner reliability due to visualization challenges. This study aimed to develop and assess a novel Tongue Biofilm Fluorescence Index (TBFI) for the accurate detection and objective evaluation of the quantitative a...
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Nature Portfolio
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80696-5 |
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| author | Sol Park Eun-Song Lee Areum Kim Hyo-Jung Kim Joo-Young Lee Sang-Kyeom Kim Hoi-In Jung Baek-Il Kim |
| author_facet | Sol Park Eun-Song Lee Areum Kim Hyo-Jung Kim Joo-Young Lee Sang-Kyeom Kim Hoi-In Jung Baek-Il Kim |
| author_sort | Sol Park |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Conventional methods for assessing tongue bacterial biofilms have low inter-examiner reliability due to visualization challenges. This study aimed to develop and assess a novel Tongue Biofilm Fluorescence Index (TBFI) for the accurate detection and objective evaluation of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of tongue biofilms at the chairside. Data were collected from 81 elderly individuals (n = 162 images). Qraycam captured white-light and fluorescence images of the dorsal tongue, and two examiners assessed tongue coating (TC) using the TBFI. The TBFI was calculated based on biofilm intensity and coverage (0–2 scale). Inter-examiner agreement (Kappa) was compared with the Winkel’s Tongue Coating Index (WTCI) and the Oho Index. Validity was evaluated through correlations with hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH) levels. TBFI demonstrated the highest inter-examiner reliability (TBFI, κ = 0.752; WTCI, κ = 0.317; Oho Index, κ = 0.496), particularly for thickness rating (agreement rate: TBFI, 96.3%; WTCI, 76.5%; Oho Index, 79.6%). H₂S and CH₃SH concentrations showed significant positive correlations with all three indices, with the highest correlation observed between H₂S and TBFI (TBFI, r = 0.369; WTCI, r = 0.304; Oho Index, r = 0.308; p < 0.01). Furthermore, H₂S levels increased significantly with higher TBFI scores (p < 0.0001). TBFI shows enhanced reliability and validity, supporting its clinical potential. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-123ee0d342eb4d1ea11fd2ea69b4e1e1 |
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| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-123ee0d342eb4d1ea11fd2ea69b4e1e12025-08-20T02:31:00ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-12-011411810.1038/s41598-024-80696-5Development of a novel tongue biofilm index using bacterial biofluorescenceSol Park0Eun-Song Lee1Areum Kim2Hyo-Jung Kim3Joo-Young Lee4Sang-Kyeom Kim5Hoi-In Jung6Baek-Il Kim7Department of Preventive Dentistry & Public Oral Health, BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of DentistryDepartment of Preventive Dentistry & Public Oral Health, BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of DentistryDepartment of Preventive Dentistry & Public Oral Health, BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of DentistryDepartment of Preventive Dentistry & Public Oral Health, BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of DentistryDepartment of Dental Hygiene, Kyungbok CollegeDepartment of Preventive Dentistry & Public Oral Health, BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of DentistryDepartment of Preventive Dentistry & Public Oral Health, BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of DentistryDepartment of Preventive Dentistry & Public Oral Health, BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of DentistryAbstract Conventional methods for assessing tongue bacterial biofilms have low inter-examiner reliability due to visualization challenges. This study aimed to develop and assess a novel Tongue Biofilm Fluorescence Index (TBFI) for the accurate detection and objective evaluation of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of tongue biofilms at the chairside. Data were collected from 81 elderly individuals (n = 162 images). Qraycam captured white-light and fluorescence images of the dorsal tongue, and two examiners assessed tongue coating (TC) using the TBFI. The TBFI was calculated based on biofilm intensity and coverage (0–2 scale). Inter-examiner agreement (Kappa) was compared with the Winkel’s Tongue Coating Index (WTCI) and the Oho Index. Validity was evaluated through correlations with hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and methyl mercaptan (CH₃SH) levels. TBFI demonstrated the highest inter-examiner reliability (TBFI, κ = 0.752; WTCI, κ = 0.317; Oho Index, κ = 0.496), particularly for thickness rating (agreement rate: TBFI, 96.3%; WTCI, 76.5%; Oho Index, 79.6%). H₂S and CH₃SH concentrations showed significant positive correlations with all three indices, with the highest correlation observed between H₂S and TBFI (TBFI, r = 0.369; WTCI, r = 0.304; Oho Index, r = 0.308; p < 0.01). Furthermore, H₂S levels increased significantly with higher TBFI scores (p < 0.0001). TBFI shows enhanced reliability and validity, supporting its clinical potential.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80696-5Tongue coatingTongue biofilmOral biofilmBiofluorescenceQuantitative light-induced fluorescenceOptical |
| spellingShingle | Sol Park Eun-Song Lee Areum Kim Hyo-Jung Kim Joo-Young Lee Sang-Kyeom Kim Hoi-In Jung Baek-Il Kim Development of a novel tongue biofilm index using bacterial biofluorescence Scientific Reports Tongue coating Tongue biofilm Oral biofilm Biofluorescence Quantitative light-induced fluorescence Optical |
| title | Development of a novel tongue biofilm index using bacterial biofluorescence |
| title_full | Development of a novel tongue biofilm index using bacterial biofluorescence |
| title_fullStr | Development of a novel tongue biofilm index using bacterial biofluorescence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development of a novel tongue biofilm index using bacterial biofluorescence |
| title_short | Development of a novel tongue biofilm index using bacterial biofluorescence |
| title_sort | development of a novel tongue biofilm index using bacterial biofluorescence |
| topic | Tongue coating Tongue biofilm Oral biofilm Biofluorescence Quantitative light-induced fluorescence Optical |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-80696-5 |
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