Cariogenicity of human plaque lactobacilli in gnotobiotic rats.

Thirty-two strains of Lactobacilli, comprising eight species and obtained from human dental plaque or other sources, were tested for cariogenic potential in gnotobiotic Sprague-Dawley rats receiving modified cariogenic Diet 2000. Seventeen of these strains were moderately to highly cariogenic, and only one, a strain of Lactobacillus lactis, was scored as non-cariogenic. The molar fissures were the predominant site of caries attack. Primary lesions of the smooth surfaces were infrequently seen, although these surfaces were often secondarily involved by the extension of fissure lesions. . The preferential location of caries in the sheltered fissure sites was attributed to their inability to form adherent plaque deposits on the smooth surfaces of the teeth. Caries production by a strain of L. salivarius was equally severe on sucrose- or glucose-containing versions of Diet 2000, but glucose was less supportive of caries development than sucrose for a strain of L. fermentum. It is concluded that a wide variety of lactobacilli may be cariogenic under favorable environmental conditions.