Identification of a novel bacterium in high caries risk adolescence: A metagenomic and melt curve analysis.

BACKGROUND

which comprise only 2% have long been presumed to be the specific pathogen responsible for caries. A novel caries associated bacterium namely is recognized to be ecologically competitive in active caries lesions. The actual pathogen needs to be identified, so as to specifically target and reduce the prevalence of caries in a given community.

AIM

The aim of the study is to evaluate the presence of in combination with other bacteria in caries risk adolescence.

METHODS

Sixty adolescent subjects were screened. Phase I-to determine the prevalence of in saliva, plaque and dentinal caries samples of low and high caries risk individuals ( = 30 each) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR); Phase-II-to identify its presence by 16SrRNA metagenomic analysis and quantitatively evaluate the cariogenic pathogen using high-resolution melt curve analysis and real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Highest prevalence of was observed in dentinal caries followed by plaque and saliva samples of high caries risk individuals under PCR analysis. Metagenomic analysis showed two-fold statistically increased presence of and () in dentinal samples compared to plaque samples ( = 0.05). recorded the minimum.

CONCLUSION

is identified as one of the predominant microorganism.