The action of selected agents on the accumulation of 18F by Streptococcus mutans.

The action of certain substances known to induce cellular alterations, or encounted in the oral cavity, on the accumulation of 18F by Streptococcus mutans GS-5 has been investigated. A 62-67% inhibition in the number of 18F atoms bound per mg dry weight of cells could be induced by a 15 min pretreatment with 2.7 X 10(-4) M cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide, 1 X 10(-1) M acetic anhydride, or 7 X 10(-2) M HCl. Plate counts indicated that alteration of the cellular composition rather than viability was responsible for this diminution in 18F accumulation. Prior exposure for 15 min of this organism to 1 M HCHO or 0.1 M NaOH did not alter 18F accumulation. Of the common salts encountered in the oral cavity, CaCl2 enhanced 18F binding. Pretreatment of the assay cells for 15-160 min with 0.1-10 mg/ml of trypsin, pronase, protease, alpha-glucosidase, dextranase, or lactoferrin had no significant effect on the accumulation of 18F. However, pre-exposure of cells for 60 min to 1-10 mg/ml of either amylase or lipase induced a 40-67% inhibition in the binding of 18F, while lysozyme enhanced the binding of 18F by the cells. It would appear then that the binding of 18F by S. mutans may be altered by certain substances encountered in the oral cavity.