Department of Oral Rehabilitation, University of Talca, Chile.
Arch Oral Biol. 2010 Aug;55(8):550-4. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2010.05.010. Epub 2010 Jun 9.
Although it is still controversial, mutans streptococci (MS) have been typically considered the primary etiological agents of dental caries. Besides the acidogenic and aciduric properties, extracellular polysaccharide synthesis leading to biofilm formation from sugar constitutes one of the key virulence factors of MS. The aim of this study was to investigate whether biofilm formation by MS was associated to an increased experience of caries in young adults.
A cross sectional study with a total of 96 randomly selected patients aged 15-27 years old was carried out. DMFT was determined by clinical examination and bite-wing radiographs. A sample of stimulated saliva was obtained and seeded on agar plates to culture MS. Colonies with and without biofilm formation were identified and quantified.
When the total MS count was considered, levels of MS were not associated with higher caries experience. 50% of the patients showed at least one biofilm-forming colony. Patients with biofilm-forming colonies showed significantly higher DMFT (p<0.001) than individuals whose plates did not reveal the structure surrounding the colony, but only at the low and moderate MS count.
Biofilm formation in MS appears to be associated with higher caries experience in individuals with low counts of the cariogenic microorganism.
尽管仍存在争议，但变形链球菌（MS）通常被认为是龋齿的主要病因。除了产酸和耐酸特性外，导致糖基生物膜形成的细胞外多糖合成是 MS 的关键毒力因子之一。本研究旨在探讨 MS 生物膜形成是否与年轻人龋齿经历增加有关。
这是一项横断面研究，共纳入了 96 名年龄在 15-27 岁之间的随机患者。通过临床检查和咬翼片确定 DMFT。采集刺激唾液样本并接种于琼脂平板以培养 MS。鉴定并定量有无生物膜形成的菌落。
当考虑总 MS 计数时，MS 水平与更高的龋齿经历无关。50%的患者至少有一个形成生物膜的菌落。与仅显示菌落周围结构的个体相比，形成生物膜的菌落的患者 DMFT 显著更高（p<0.001），但仅在低和中度 MS 计数时如此。
在低水平致龋微生物计数的个体中，MS 中的生物膜形成似乎与更高的龋齿经历有关。
