Supragingival mycobiome and inter-kingdom interactions in dental caries.

: Recent studies have reveled the presence of a complex fungal community (mycobiome) in the oral cavity. However, the role of oral mycobiome in dental caries and its interaction with caries-associated bacteria is not yet clear. : Whole-mouth supragingival plaque samples from 30 children (6-10 years old) with no caries, early caries, or advanced caries were sequenced for internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2). The mycobiome profiles were correlated with previously published bacteriome counterparts. Interaction among selected fungal and bacterial species was assessed by co-culture or spent media experiments. : Fungal load was extremely low. and spp. were the most prevalent/abundant taxa. Advanced caries was associated with significantly higher fungal load and prevalence/abundance of and were significantly over-abundant in early caries, while was significantly enriched in caries-free subjects. correlated with and among other caries-associated bacteria, while inversely correlated with caries-associated bacteria. demonstrated inhibitory properties against . : the results substantiate the potential role of the oral mycobiome, primarily species, in dental caries. Inter-kingdom correlations and inhibition of by are worth further investigation.