Immunization with dextransucrases, levansucrases, and glycosidic hydrolases from oral streptococci. II. Immunization with glucosyltransferases, fructosyltransferases, and glycosidic hydrolases from oral streptococci in monkeys.

The feasibility of immunizing monkeys with enzymes from oral streptococci in an attempt to reduce dental caries was investigated. Forty rhesus monkeys, Macaca mulatta, were used. Cariogenic streptococci, S mutans, were implanted into all the monkeys' mouths. There was no pathological effect resulting from immunization. Of the 40 animals, 30 retained the implanted flora throughout the experiment; the remaining 10 were reimplanted until the streptococci remained. In six months, gross carious lesions were evident with plaque. Inhibitiors present in the monkey sera after immunization inhibited glucosyltransferase, fructosyltransferase, and neuraminidase activities. It was presumed the inhibitors were antibodies. There was a reduction of 68.6% in the total carious lesions in the animals immunized intraorally with glucosyltransferase, 62.4% reduction in those injected with fructosyltransferase, and 57.4% reduction in total lesions in those immunized with glycosidic hydrolases after 19 months, as compared to the control group. There were no gross lesions apparent in the group immunized with glycosidic hydrolases. It appears that immunization with enzymes significantly reduces carries and is feasible in a primate model.