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Genotypic Diversity of Streptococcus mutans in Caries-Free and Caries-Active Preschool Children. Int J Dent 2009; 2010:824976. [PMID: 20351760 PMCID: PMC2836815 DOI: 10.1155/2010/824976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Accepted: 09/08/2009] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim.
The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the
genotypic diversity of S.
mutans in caries-free and caries-active
preschool children in Brazil.
Design. Twenty-eight preschool
children were examined regarding caries
experience by the dmft index. DNA from 280
isolates of S. mutans was
extracted. S. mutans evaluated
using to the PCR method, with primers for the
glucosyltransferase gene. The genetic diversity
of S. mutans isolates was
analyzed by arbitrary primed-PCR (AP-PCR)
reactions. The differences between the diversity
genotypic and dmft/caries experience were
evaluated by
χ2
test and Spearman's correlation.
Results. The Spearman
correlation test showed a strong association
between genotypic diversity and caries
experience (r = 0.72;
P < .001).
There were more S. mutans
genotypes in the group of preschool children
with dental caries, compared with the
caries-free group. Among the children with more
than 1 genotype, 13 had dental caries (2 to 5
genotypes) and 4 were caries-free (only 2
genotypes). Conclusion. Our
results support the previous findings of genetic
diversity of S. mutans in
preschool children being associated with dental
caries. The investigation of such populations
may be important for directing the development
of programs for caries prevention
worldwide.
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52
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Alves AC, Nogueira RD, Stipp RN, Pampolini F, Moraes ABA, Gonçalves RB, Höfling JF, Li Y, Mattos-Graner RO. Prospective study of potential sources of Streptococcus mutans transmission in nursery school children. J Med Microbiol 2009; 58:476-481. [PMID: 19273644 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.005777-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of Streptococcus mutans, a major dental caries pathogen, occurs mainly during the first 2.5 years of age. Children appear to acquire S. mutans mostly from their mothers, but few studies have investigated non-familial sources of S. mutans transmission. This study prospectively analysed initial S. mutans oral colonization in 119 children from nursery schools during a 1.5-year period and tracked the transmission from child to child, day-care caregiver to child and mother to child. Children were examined at baseline, when they were 5-13 months of age, and at 6-month intervals for determination of oral levels of S. mutans and development of caries lesions. Levels of S. mutans were also determined in caregivers and mothers. A total of 1392 S. mutans isolates (obtained from children, caregivers and mothers) were genotyped by arbitrarily primed PCR and chromosomal RFLP. Overall, 40.3 % of children were detectably colonized during the study, and levels of S. mutans were significantly associated with the development of caries lesions. Identical S. mutans genotypes were found in four nursery cohorts. No familial relationship existed in three of these cohorts, indicating horizontal transmission. Despite high oral levels of S. mutans identified in most of the caregivers, none of their genotypes matched those identified in the respective children. Only 50 % of children with high levels of S. mutans carried genotypes identified in their mothers. The results support previous evidence indicating that non-familial sources of S. mutans transmission exist, and indicate that this bacterium may be transmitted horizontally between children during the initial phases of S. mutans colonization in nursery environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra C Alves
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ruchele D Nogueira
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael N Stipp
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flávia Pampolini
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonio B A Moraes
- Center of Treatment of Special Patients (CEPAE), Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Reginaldo B Gonçalves
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José F Höfling
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yihong Li
- Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, New York College of Dentistry, New York, USA
| | - Renata O Mattos-Graner
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
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53
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Mitchell SC, Ruby JD, Moser S, Momeni S, Smith A, Osgood R, Litaker M, Childers N. Maternal transmission of mutans Streptococci in severe-early childhood caries. Pediatr Dent 2009; 31:193-201. [PMID: 19552223 PMCID: PMC3173944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study utilized multiple genetic analyses to detect evidence of maternal MS acquisition in children with S-ECC. METHODS Twenty-seven mother/child pairs were selected from children with 5-ECC preceding dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia. Plaque samples were collected from the mother, child, and the child's carious lesion. Arbitrarily primed-polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) genotyped 6-8 MS isolates from each plaque sample, and unique genotypes were identified. Representative MS isolates with unique genotypes were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Cluster analysis using the Dice band-based similarity coefficient was used to generate dendrograms from gel bonding patterns. A Dice coefficient >70% indicated similarity or match among PFGE genotypes. RESULTS In 26% (7/27) of mother/child pairs, all of the child's isolates matched the mother. In 15% (4/27), some of the child's genotypes matched the mother, and in 59% (16/27), no isolates matched the mother. Maternal transmission was a mode of MS acquisition in 41% (11/27) of mother/child pairs, while acquisition from non-maternal sources occurred in 74% (20/27). CONCLUSIONS MS genotypes that did not match maternal strains were identified in the majority of children (74%) within this S-ECC population. Evidence of maternal transmission was detected in 41% of mother/child pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C Mitchell
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA.
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54
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Tabchoury CPM, Sousa MCK, Arthur RA, Mattos-Graner RO, Del Bel Cury AA, Cury JA. Evaluation of genotypic diversity of Streptococcus mutans using distinct arbitrary primers. J Appl Oral Sci 2009; 16:403-7. [PMID: 19082399 PMCID: PMC4327711 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-77572008000600009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2008] [Accepted: 06/25/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus mutans has been considered one of the main etiological agents of dental caries and the genotypic diversity rather than its salivary counts may be considered as a virulence factor of this bacterium. For genotyping with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with arbitrary primers, several primers have been used in order to improve complexity and specificity of amplicon patterns. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of agreement of genotypic identification among AP-PCR reactions performed with 5 distinct arbitrary primers of S. mutans isolated from saliva. Stimulated saliva was collected from 11 adult volunteers for isolation of S. mutans, and a total of 88 isolates were genotyped with arbitrary primers OPA 02, 03, 05, 13 and 18. Fourteen distinct genotypes were identified in the saliva samples. Most volunteers (9 out of 11) presented only one genotype. The results of the present study suggest that primers OPA 02, 03, 05 and 13 were suitable for genotypic identification of S. mutans isolates of saliva from adult volunteers.
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55
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Vadiakas G. Case definition, aetiology and risk assessment of early childhood caries (ECC): a revisited review. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 2009; 9:114-25. [PMID: 18793593 DOI: 10.1007/bf03262622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM To provide a review of the existing literature on early childhood caries (ECC) with particular reference on the nomenclature, case definition, epidemiology, etiology and risk assessment. METHODS An electronic search was used to identify and critically review papers that have been published and are pertinent to the above issues, evaluate and compile the reported evidence. RESULTS The term ECC has been adopted to more accurately describe dental caries that affects primary dentitions, replacing previously used terminology that associated the disease with the nursing habit. Suggested ECC case definition uses caries patterns as defining criteria, however, further refinement to include different clinical expressions of a varying severity is necessary. Significant percentages of preschool child populations are affected by ECC today, with the disease concentrating disproportionately in deprived families. Early colonization by mutans streptococci (MS) is associated with increased ECC development, with bacteria being transmitted in both vertical and horizontal ways. Dietary factors related to sugar consumption predispose to early MS colonization and establishment and increase the risk for ECC development, being part of the causal chain. Inappropriate bottle and breast-feeding behaviors also increase the risk, without showing a direct causal relationship. High risk children belong to ethnic minority groups and to low income families with poor parental behaviors and attitudes. CONCLUSIONS Further high-quality studies are needed to explore the role bacteria other than MS may play in caries initiation and progression, elucidate the interaction of the saliva immune defence system with a potentially defective tooth, and investigate the effect distant behavioral factors have on the causal chain that leads to ECC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Vadiakas
- Dept. of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, University of Athens, Greece.
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56
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Ushida N, Ishihara K, Kobayashi N, Matsukubo T, Yakushiji M, Okuda K. Initial acquisition and transmission of Streptococcus mutans from Japanese mothers to children. PEDIATRIC DENTAL JOURNAL 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s0917-2394(09)70159-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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57
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Ibrahim S, Nishimura M, Matsumura S, Rodis OM, Nishida A, Kariya N, Yamanaka K, Shimono T. Microbial screening of Cariostat ® -inoculated plaque samples from low and high caries risk children. PEDIATRIC DENTAL JOURNAL 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s0917-2394(09)70172-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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58
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Kamiya RU, Höfling JF, Gonçalves RB. Frequency and expression of mutacin biosynthesis genes in isolates of Streptococcus mutans with different mutacin-producing phenotypes. J Med Microbiol 2008; 57:626-635. [PMID: 18436597 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.47749-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency and expression of biosynthesis genes in 47 Streptococcus mutans isolates with different mutacin-producing phenotypes. Detection of the frequency and expression of genes encoding mutacin types I, II, III and IV were carried out by PCR and semi-quantitative RT-PCR, respectively, using primers specific for each type of biosynthesis gene. In addition, a further eight genes encoding putative bacteriocins, designated bsm 283, bsm 299, bsm 423, bsm 1889c, bsm 1892c, bsm 1896, bsm 1906c and bsm 1914, were also screened. There was a high phenotypic diversity; some Streptococcus mutans isolates presented broad antimicrobial spectra against other Streptococcus mutans clinical isolates, including bacteria resistant to common antibiotics, as well as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes. The expression frequency of the bsm gene was higher than that of the previously characterized mutacins (I-IV). There was no positive correlation between the number of indicator strains inhibited (antimicrobial spectra) and the number of biosynthesis genes expressed (Spearman correlation test, r=-0.03, P>0.05). In conclusion, the high diversity of mutacin-producing phenotypes, associated with high frequency of expression of the biosynthesis genes screened, reveals a broad repertoire of genetic determinants encoding antimicrobial peptides that can act in different combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regianne Umeko Kamiya
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Microbiology and Immunology Division, Piracicaba Dental School, Campinas University, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - José Francisco Höfling
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Microbiology and Immunology Division, Piracicaba Dental School, Campinas University, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Reginaldo Bruno Gonçalves
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Microbiology and Immunology Division, Piracicaba Dental School, Campinas University, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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59
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Secretory Immunity Following Mutans Streptococcal Infection or Immunization. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2008; 319:131-56. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-73900-5_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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60
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Olak J, Mändar R, Karjalainen S, Söderling E, Saag M. Dental health and oral mutans streptococci in 2-4-year-old Estonian children. Int J Paediatr Dent 2007; 17:92-7. [PMID: 17263858 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-263x.2006.00788.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the dental health and presence of mutans streptococci (MS) in 2-4-year-old Estonian children. METHODS The dental health of 472 2-4-year-old children was examined using a mirror and a penlight in 14 daycare centres representing seven communities around Estonia. The mean (+/-SD) age of the children was 41.4+/-4.1 months (n=222). Plaque samples of 222 children were employed to determine the presence of MS using the Dentocult SM Strip mutans test. RESULTS Caries was diagnosed in 42% of the children, and the average (+/-SD) dmft index was 1.6+/-2.5, ranging from 1.1+/-1.2 in Tartu to 2.4+/-3.1 in Võru. The proportion of caries-free children decreased from 82% in the younger to 63% in the older group (P=0.001). Among the tested subjects, 58% were colonized with MS, and those with caries were colonized more often than children with no visible caries (80% and 51%, respectively; P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of dental caries in Estonian 2-4-year-olds is higher than in the Nordic countries, but similar to other Baltic nations. Colonization by MS was associated with dental caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Olak
- Department of Stomatology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
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61
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Franco e Franco TCC, Amoroso P, Marin JM, Ávila FAD. Detection of streptococcus mutans and streptococcus sobrinus in dental plaque samples from Brazilian preschool children by polymerase chain reaction. Braz Dent J 2007; 18:329-33. [DOI: 10.1590/s0103-64402007000400011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2007] [Accepted: 07/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The purposes of this study were to detect S. mutans and S. sobrinus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, and to relate their presence to the incidence of dental caries in 42 Brazilian preschool children. Dental plaque samples were collected from the cervical margin of all erupted teeth of 5-6 years old children with primary dentition, using a sterile explorer. Examination of the dmft (decayed, missing, filled teeth) index, performed following the World Health Organization (WHO) caries diagnostic criteria, showed a 2.71 score. Prevalence of S. mutans and S. sobrinus was respectively, of 85.7% and 14.3%; no dental plaque sample was either positive or negative for both bacterial species. Children harboring either S. mutans or S. sobrinus presented the same caries prevalence. PCR showed good discriminative ability for differentiation between these species, and suggested that it is a technique suitable for epidemiological studies on mutans streptococci.
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62
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Klein MI, Bang S, Flório FM, Höfling JF, Gonçalves RB, Smith DJ, Mattos-Graner RO. Genetic diversity of competence gene loci in clinical genotypes of Streptococcus mutans. J Clin Microbiol 2006; 44:3015-20. [PMID: 16891531 PMCID: PMC1594605 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02024-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The frequencies of 21 competence genes were analyzed in 94 genotypes of Streptococcus mutans. These include those of a main regulatory system (comCDE), structural, and other regulatory orthologues identified in the genome of strain UA159. PCR and Southern blot analysis revealed that all genes are widespread within the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlise I Klein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Piracicaba School of Dentistry, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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63
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Kilian M, Frandsen EVG, Haubek D, Poulsen K. The etiology of periodontal disease revisited by population genetic analysis. Periodontol 2000 2006; 42:158-79. [PMID: 16930310 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0757.2006.00159.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mogens Kilian
- Department of Bacteriology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
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64
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Alves ACBA, Napimoga MH, Klein MI, Hofling JF, Gonçalves RB. Increase in probing depth is correlated with a higher number of Prevotella intermedia genotypes. J Periodontol 2006; 77:61-6. [PMID: 16579704 DOI: 10.1902/jop.2006.77.1.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aims of this study were to determine the genotypic diversity of Prevotella intermedia in subgingival plaque samples by using two techniques, arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) and heteroduplex analysis, and to assess the relationship of this diversity with increase in probing depth. METHODS The subgingival plaque samples were obtained from 12 patients using paper points inserted into periodontal pockets (diseased sites) and healthy gingival sulci (healthy sites) of the same subjects. After isolation and identification, AP-PCR was performed for genotypic characterization of P. intermedia (80 isolates). The clinical samples with a positive result for P. intermedia were amplified by 16S rRNA-based PCR method, and the amplicons were subjected to heteroduplex analysis. RESULTS The agreement between the two methods was very high; the AP-PCR and heteroduplex analysis showed that subjects harbored between one and five distinct genotypes of P. intermedia, with a positive association between numbers of genotypes by AP-PCR (P = 0.0042) or heteroduplex (P = 0.0099) and increase in probing depth. No matching of P. intermedia genotypes was observed between healthy and diseased sites of the same individual. Interindividual analyses demonstrated absence of identical clones and indicated a high level of genetic diversity in the species. CONCLUSION A clear relationship was observed between a higher number of genotypes and increase in probing depth; these results suggest that environmental challenges in the periodontal pockets may modulate the microbiota by selecting genotypes best able to exploit the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cláudia B A Alves
- Oral Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory, Dentistry School of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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65
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Toi CS, Cleaton-Jones P, Fatti P. Characterization of Streptococcus mutans diversity by determining restriction fragment-length polymorphisms of the gtfB gene of isolates from 5-year-old children and their mothers. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 2005; 88:75-85. [PMID: 15928979 DOI: 10.1007/s10482-005-1674-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2004] [Accepted: 02/02/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The diversity between Streptococcus mutans clinical isolates from 5-year-old children and their mothers in two South African ethnic groups was investigated. The gtfB gene encoding for glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.5), an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of extracellular polysaccharides was characterized by PCR-RFLP with HaeIII restriction enzyme digestion. Forty-seven children were examined for dental caries and 128 S. mutans clinical isolates cultured from samples of their saliva and plaque and from the saliva of their mothers. Thirty-three children had active caries (70%) and the remainder (n = 14) were caries-free. Caries prevalence was significantly different (p = 0.02) between black African and coloured children, but no differences were found between gtfB amplitypes by caries or ethnic grouping. Thirty-four (27%) of the S. mutans clinical isolates investigated did not ferment melibiose. Melibiose-negative phenotypes (n = 10) isolated from four families showed gtfB RFLP patterns identical to each other. Mothers and children harboured between one and three amplitypes. GtfB amplitypes were identical in 17 families (17/47), of which nine only were identical to S. mutans reference strains. The percentage match between S. mutans amplitype from mothers and their children was low (13%) in the caries-free group compared to children with caries (44%). RFLP analysis of the gtfB gene showed the diversity of S. mutans genotypes within two South African populations that were acquired from mothers and other sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Sam Toi
- Dental Research Institute of the Medical Research Council, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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66
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Nogueira RD, Alves AC, Napimoga MH, Smith DJ, Mattos-Graner RO. Characterization of salivary immunoglobulin A responses in children heavily exposed to the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans: influence of specific antigen recognition in infection. Infect Immun 2005; 73:5675-84. [PMID: 16113285 PMCID: PMC1231082 DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.9.5675-5684.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The initial infection of children by Streptococcus mutans, the main pathogen of dental caries, depends on the ability of S. mutans to adhere and accumulate on tooth surfaces. These processes involve the adhesin antigen I/II (AgI/II), glucosyltransferases (GTF) and glucan-binding protein B (GbpB), each a target for anticaries vaccines. The salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody responses to S. mutans antigens (Ags) were characterized in 21 pairs of 5- to 13-month-old children. Pairs were constructed with one early S. mutans-infected and one noninfected child matched by age, racial background, number of teeth, and salivary levels of IgA. Specific salivary IgA antibody response and S. mutans infection levels were then measured during a 1-year follow-up. Robust responses to S. mutans were detected from 6 months of age. Salivary IgA antibody to AgI/II and GTF was commonly detected in salivas of all 42 children. However, GbpB-specific IgA antibody was seldom detected in the subset of infected children (38.1% at baseline). In contrast, most of the subset of noninfected children (76.2%) showed GbpB-reactive IgA antibody during the same period. Frequencies of GbpB responses increased with age, but differences in intensities of GbpB-IgA antibody reactions were sustained between the subsets. At baseline, GbpB-reactive IgA antibody accounted for at least half of the total salivary IgA S. mutans-reactive antibody in 33.3 and 9.5% of noninfected and infected children, respectively. This study provides evidence that a robust natural response to S. mutans Ags can be achieved by 1 year of age and that IgA antibody specificities may be critical in modulating initial S. mutans infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchele D Nogueira
- Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba-UNICAMP, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Av. Limeira, 901, CEP 13414-903 Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
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67
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Napimoga MH, Höfling JF, Klein MI, Kamiya RU, Gonçalves RB. Tansmission, diversity and virulence factors of Sreptococcus mutans genotypes. J Oral Sci 2005; 47:59-64. [PMID: 16050484 DOI: 10.2334/josnusd.47.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Dental caries is an infectious and transmissible disease, in which many genetic, environmental and behavioral risk factors interact. The mutans streptococci (MS), mainly Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are the microorganisms most strongly associated with this disease. The main virulence factors associated with MS cariogenicity include adhesion, acidogenicity and acid tolerance. These properties work together to modify the physico-chemical properties of the biofilm, resulting in ecological changes in the form of increased proportions of S. mutans and other acidogenic and aciduric species. In addition, reports of higher numbers of S. mutans genotypes with increased virulence in caries-active subjects suggest the importance of microenvironmental factors in increasing the risk of caries. This review focuses on the transmission and establishment of different genotypes of S. mutans and the role they play in the development of dental caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Henrique Napimoga
- Department of Oral Diagnostics, Faculty of Dentistry of Piracicaba, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
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68
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Kamiya RU, Napimoga MH, Höfling JF, Gonçalves RB. Frequency of four different mutacin genes in Streptococcus mutans genotypes isolated from caries-free and caries-active individuals. J Med Microbiol 2005; 54:599-604. [PMID: 15888470 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.45870-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of Streptococcus mutans to produce mutacins, combined with the production of other virulence factors such as lactic acid, may contribute to the pathogenesis of this bacterium. In the present study, the detection of genes encoding mutacin types I/III, II and IV was performed by PCR with specific primers to each type in a total of 63 S. mutans genotypes isolated from caries-active and caries-free individuals. In the caries-free group, PCR screening for mutacin IV revealed that 31.8% of strains were positive for this mutacin. PCR for the other three mutacins tested (I/III and II) did not yield amplicons in any S. mutans strains in this group. The PCR with primers of mutacin IV showed 68.3% positive genotypes in the caries-active group, on the other hand, the amplicons of mutacins I/III revealed 41.5% positive strains that carried these genes. The chi square test showed significant differences in the number of positive strains to mutacin IV when comparing the caries-free and caries-active genotypes of S. mutans (P = 0.01). All tested S. mutans strains were negative by PCR for mutacin II. The low frequencies of detection of some mutacin genes suggest the existence of high diversity and polymorphism in the production of genetic determinants of mutacin-like substances. In addition, the production of a wide spectrum of mutacins can play an important biological role in colonization by S. mutans strains, mainly in the niche of high-complexity microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regianne U Kamiya
- Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Av. Limeira, 901 - Areião, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo H Napimoga
- Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Av. Limeira, 901 - Areião, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - José F Höfling
- Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Av. Limeira, 901 - Areião, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Reginaldo B Gonçalves
- Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Av. Limeira, 901 - Areião, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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