A catalog of 48,425 nonredundant viruses from oral metagenomes expands the horizon of the human oral virome

The human oral cavity is a hotspot of numerous, mostly unexplored, viruses that are important for maintaining oral health and microbiome homeostasis. Here, we analyzed 2,792 publicly available oral metagenomes and proposed the Oral Virus Database (OVD) comprising 48,425 nonredundant viral genomes (>= 5 kbp). The OVD catalog substantially expanded the known phylogenetic diversity and host specificity of oral viruses, allowing for enhanced delineation of some under-represented groups such as the predicted Saccharibacteria phages and jumbo viruses. Comparisons of the viral diversity and abundance of different oral cavity habitats suggested strong niche specialization of viromes within individuals. The virome variations in relation to host geography and properties were further uncovered, especially the age-dependent viral compositional signatures in saliva. Overall, the viral genome catalog describes the architecture and variability of the human oral virome, while offering new resources and insights for current and future studies.

Automated summary

The human oral cavity is an important reservoir for many unexplored viruses that play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and microbial balance. By analyzing a large dataset of oral metagenomes, the study reveals a wide range of diversity and host specificity in oral viruses, as well as variations in viral composition among different oral habitats.