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PubMed1979

Serotype-dependent inhibition of glucan synthesis and cell adherence of Streptococcus mutans by antibody against glucosyltransferase of serotype e S. mutans.

A crude glucosyltransferase (GTase) preparation was obtained from the culture supernatant of Streptococcus mutans strain MT703 (serotype e) by 50% ammonium sulphate precipitation. Antiserum specific against the GTase was prepared by immunizing rabbits intramuscularly with the GTase in Freund incomplete adjuvant, followed by GTase without adjuvant intravenously. Gamma globulin fractions of the antiserum and normal serum were partially purified by 1/3 saturated ammonium sulphate precipitation. The antibody strongly inhibited the GTase activity (greater than 90%) of type c, e and f S. mutans, whereas the GTase of type a, d and g was not affected by the antibody. The GTase from type b S. mutans was slightly inhibited. The adherence of viable cells of type c, e, and f S. mutans to a glass surface due to synthesis of glucan by the cell-associated GTase was also significantly inhibited by the antibody to the enzyme. These results suggest that type c, e, and f and types a, d, and g S. mutans can be separated into two major groups in terms of the immunological relationship of GTase.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

PubMed1992

Crevicular IgG antibodies and recovery of Streptococcus mutans implanted by mouthrinsing.

After challenge with a streptomycin-resistant strain of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a tendency to higher recovery of S. mutans was found in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from surfaces with a low IgG antibody activity against S. mutans than in GCF from surfaces with a high antibody activity. This suggests that antibodies in GCF may interfere with the establishment of S. mutans on gingival tooth surfaces. In GCF collected from some sites, considerably higher IgG antibody activity was observed than in homologous serum, indicating that part of the IgG response to S. mutans was locally derived.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Interaction of lysozyme with a surface protein antigen of Streptococcus mutans.

The interaction of salivary lysozyme with the surface protein antigen (PAc) of Streptococcus mutans and the interaction of lysozyme with the pathogen were examined by ELISA using S. mutans MT8148 (PAc+) and the PAc-defective mutant EM-2 (PAc-). The lysozyme clearly bound to the S. mutans wild type but not to the S. mutans mutant. Furthermore, lysozyme bound directly in the fluid phase to the rPAc, of which the binding kinetics were determined (Kon = 3.63 +/- 0.04 x 10(3) M-1 s-1, K(off) = 1.72 +/- 0.04 x 10-5 s-1 and Kon/K(off) = 2.11 x 10(8) M-1) using surface plasmon resonance. The kinetics of both association and dissociation were relatively slow. In addition, anti-lysozyme antibody significantly inhibited the binding of salivary components to the rPAc. The present findings indicate that lysozyme is one of the major salivary components interacting with S. mutans PAc.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Low T- and B-cell reactivity is an apparently paradoxical request for murine immunoprotection against Streptococcus mutans. Murine protection can be achieved by immunization against a B-cell mitogen produced by these bacteria.

C57BL/6 mice thymectomized as adults or depleted of CD4+ cells were much less susceptible than intact conventional mice to the B-cell mitogenic and specific immunosuppressive effects of a protein designated as F5'EP-Sm secreted by Streptococcus mutans. These mice were also considerably more resistant to infection by these bacteria than intact individuals. The immunosuppressor effect of F5'EP-Sm was also abrogated, however, in conventional intact mice when immunized intraperitoneally against heat-inactivated F5'EP-Sm. On the other hand, resistance to bacterial infection could be achieved by immunization of conventional intact C57BL/6 mice against heat-inactivated F5'EP-Sm by intraperitoneal or intradermal routes even when the animals were infected 3 months after immunization and even when the immunization procedure did not include Freund's adjuvant, which was the case with the intradermal route. Interestingly, the protection against the bacterial infection was accompanied by only a minor increase in specific serum antibodies against F5'EP-Sm. These results are discussed in the context of adequate strategies for immunoprotection against Streptococcus mutans and other micro-organisms which are secretors of substances that share both B-cell mitogenic and immunosuppressive properties and which are thus able to suppress the immune response by overstimulation of the immune system of the host.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Binding of Streptococcus mutans to extracellular matrix molecules and fibrinogen.

We have determined the ability of Streptococcus mutans cells to bind to extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and fibrinogen. S. mutans cells were found to bind fibronectin, laminin, collagen type I, and fibrinogen. An isogenic S. mutans strain with a defect in the expression of the major surface protein of S. mutans, antigen I/II, possessed a reduced ability to bind fibronectin, collagen, and fibrinogen but not laminin, suggesting that antigen I/II contributes during pathological processes to the interaction of S. mutans cells with fibronectin, collagen type I, and fibrinogen.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

PubMed2005

Influences of bracket bonding on mutans streptococcus in plaque detected by real time fluorescence-quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

BACKGROUND: Enamel demineralization occurs frequently during orthodontic treatment. In this study, we evaluated the changes of the density of mutans streptococcus (MS) in plaque after bracket bonding and using fluoride adhesive on maxillary incisors by real time fluorescence-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-FQ PCR). METHODS: The study was designed as a self-paired test. Brackets were bonded with fluoride adhesive on the left side, while non-fluoride adhesive on the right side for each patient. Plaque samples were taken from the surfaces around the brackets of four maxillary incisors before brackets bonding and after the bonding 4 weeks later. The amount of MS was measured by RT-FQ PCR. The data obtained were analyzed statistically using the SPSS 11.5 version and the alpha level was set at 0.05 (2-tailed). RESULTS: The amount of MS in plaque increased significantly after bracket bonding (P < 0.01), whereas no significant differences were observed among four maxillary incisors both before and after brackets bonding (P > 0.05), and among the incisors using and not using fluoride adhesive (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The increase of the density of MS in plaque after bracket bonding is one of the etiological factors for enamel demineralization in orthodontic patients. The result of this study did not support what we observed clinically that the incidence of enamel demineralization for lateral incisors was higher than that for central incisors. Using fluoride adhesive for bonding did not affect the amount of MS in plaque in our study. Further study is needed.

Adhesives↗

PubMed1989

Current-induced effects on growth and adhesion properties of Streptococcus mutans in vitro.

Current-induced effects on the growth and adhesion of Streptococcus mutans were studied. The spontaneous currents formed between gold-amalgam pairs showed starting current peaks of approximately 200 microA followed by constant currents of approximately 15 microA. The presence of the gold-amalgam pair had no effect on the growth of S. mutans, which was unaffected even when constant potentials of 1000 mV and 2000 mV were used to produce extreme experimental conditions. Three volts or more was needed to inhibit the growth of S. mutans. Organic acids produced by S. mutans during growth had also little or no effect on the magnitudes of the spontaneous currents formed between the gold-amalgam pairs. Adhesion of S. mutans, grown with or without added sucrose, appeared unaffected by spontaneous currents induced by the metal combinations.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

PubMed2001

Growth rate and biofilm thickness of Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus mutans on hydroxapatite.

Bacteria in biofilm and planktonic bacteria exhibit different properties. The objective of the present study was to compare the growth rates of Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus mutans on different types of biofilm with their planktonic growth rate. Our experimental model consisted of hydroxyapatite beads coated with human saliva (sHA). Glucans or fructans were synthesized in situ on sHA by immobilized cell-free glucosyltransferase or fructosyltransferase isolated from oral bacteria. S. sobrinus or S. mutans was then adsorbed onto the glucan- or fructan-coated sHA and incubated for different time intervals. The depth of the developing biofilm was measured. Our results show that growth rates of S. sobrinus and S. mutans on both fructan- and glucan-coated sHA were similar during a 23 h period. In addition, the profile was similar to the growth profile of the same planktonic bacteria. The resemblance in growth rates between planktonic and biofilm bacteria may be attributed to the thin and non-dense biofilm formed in the initial stages of the biofilm formation. The thin biofilm coat, reaching a maximal depth of 11 microm, has only imposed limited diffusion restrictions, thus not affecting the growth of the bacteria in the biofilm. Our study shows that growth of bacteria on surfaces may resemble their growth in suspension if the bacteria are not embedded in a thick dense biofilm.

Biofilms↗

PubMed1986

Effect of monoclonal antibodies against lipoteichoic acid from the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans on its adhesion and plaque-accumulation in vitro.

Five monoclonal antibodies directed against Streptococcus mutans strain JBP lipoteichoic acid (LTA) were characterized. They were all similarly reactive with the immunizing LTA-containing extract, with intact Strep. mutans JBP cells and with LTA purified from Lactobacillus casei. Immobilized anti-LTA antibodies removes LTA from LTA-containing extracts. The binding of antibodies to LTA was inhibited by the aqueous extract but not by the organic extract of de-acylated LTA, indicating reactivity with the polyglycerol-phosphate portion of the molecule. Antibodies were reactive with all serotypes of Strep. mutans, as well as with strains of Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sanguis and L. casei, but not with LTA-negative species Streptococcus mitis or Actinomyces viscosus. Anti-LTA antibodies at doses of 0.3 or 3.0 micrograms/ml, had no effect on the adherence of Strep. mutans JBP to experimental salivary pellicles formed on hydroxyapatite, but enhanced adherence 150-300 per cent at 30 micrograms/ml. There was no effect of anti-LTA antibodies in a chemostat model which measured sucrose-dependent plaque accumulation by Strep. mutans. The results argue against a major role for LTA in Strep. mutans adherence or plaque accumulation in vitro.

Adhesiveness↗

PubMed2005

In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial effects of mastic chewing gum against Streptococcus mutans and mutans streptococci.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Dental caries is associated with oral pathogens and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is one of the primary cariogenic organisms. Mastic gum, from Pistacia lentiscus, has been shown to have antibacterial properties. The objective of this study was to determine antibacterial activity of mastic chewing gum against S. mutans and mutans streptococci in vitro and in vivo conditions. SETTING: Cukurova University, Dental School, in 2002. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antimicrobial activity of mastic gum was evaluated using standard S. mutans strain by disc diffusion method in vitro. Cytotoxicity effect of mastic gum on HEp-2 cells was evaluated by conventional haemocytometer using the trypan blue exclusion method. Clinical studies were then performed on 25 periodontally healthy volunteers. The inhibitory effect of chewing mastic gum against mutans streptococci in saliva was compared to a placebo gum. Saliva samples were taken from the subjects immediately before and after chewing the mastic gum and the placebo gum for 15 min. Additional saliva samples were collected every 30 min. The samples were inoculated onto mitis salivarius-bacitracin agar and incubated for 48 h anaerobically at 37 degrees C. The total number of viable bacteria was then counted. RESULTS: Among tested solvents (chloroform, acetone, petrolium ether and ethanol), it was found that the acetone was found to be more convenient than the others to dissolve the mastic gum. In the cytotoxicity assay, concentrations up to 75 mg/ml of the mastic gum were not toxic for the replication of HEp-2 cells. Thus, lower concentrations of mastic gum (20 and 50 mg/ml) were used for the experiments. In vitro experiments, the diameters of growth inhibition zones of mastic gum were in the range 9.0-27.0 mm. In the clinical trials, the mean number of bacteria in samples taken after chewing the mastic gum and placebo gum were following; at minute 15 was 112 x 10(4)+/-268 x 10(3) and 175 x 10(4)+/-417 x 10(3)cfu/ml, for minute 45 was 85 x 10(4)+/-219 x 10(3) and 165 x 10(4)+/-329 x 10(3)cfu/ml, at minute 75 was 65 x 10(4)+/-100 x 10(3) and 160 x 10(4)+/-216 x 10(3)cfu/ml, at minute 105 was 60 x 10(4)+/-127 x 10(3) and 150 x 10(4)+/-138 x 10(3)cfu/ml, and at minute 135 was 55 x 10(4)+/-65 x 10(3) and 145 x 10(4)+/-354 x 10(3)cfu/ml, respectively. Significantly fewer bacteria was found in saliva samples collected after chewing mastic gum compared to those after chewing paraffin (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study showed that mastic gum had significant antibacterial activity against S. mutans and mutans streptococci and it may be a useful adjunct in the prevention of caries.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Detachment of Streptococcus mutans biofilm cells by an endogenous enzymatic activity.

Previous studies have shown that Streptococcus mutans NG8 possesses an endogenous surface protein-releasing enzyme (SPRE) activity that liberates its own surface proteins (S. F. Lee, Infect. Immun. 60:4032-4039, 1992). The present study was initiated to investigate the possible role of the release of surface proteins by SPRE in the detachment of biofilm cells in vitro. Initially, the characteristics of surface protein release by the strain (S. mutans BM71) used in this study were shown to be the same as those previously described for S. mutans NG8. BM71 displayed characteristics identical to those of NG8 in terms of pH optima and inhibitor sensitivity for protein release. Monolayer biofilms of S. mutans BM71 were formed on hydroxylapatite rods in a modified chemostat. Detachment of the biofilm cells was measured by viable cell counts of bacteria liberated after incubation of the biofilms in buffers. Results showed that biofilm cells were detached in a pH- dependent manner with a maximum rate of pH 5 (P = 0.016) to 6 (P = 0.002), a range similar to that for optimal surface protein release. The detachment of the biofilm cells was found to be inhibited by ZnCl2 (P = 0.002 to 0.023), which also inhibited surface protein release. Detachment was not inhibited significantly by CaCl2 (P = 0.525 to 0.784), precluding an ionic effect on inhibition by ZnCl2. The extent of detachment could be increased (P = 0.046) by the addition of an SPRE preparation from S. mutans but not heat-inactivated SPRE (P = 0.665) or SPRE in the presence of ZnCl2 (P = 0.199). Detachment was also studied by using biofilms of resting (viable but not dividing) cells. Results similar to those for biofilms formed from growing cells were obtained, indicating that cells detached from biofilms were not daughter cells. The results presented above show that monolayer biofilm cells of S. mutans under conditions of minimal shear force have the ability to detach from a surface and suggest that this detachment was mediated by an endogenous SPRE activity.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

PubMed2004

Transmission of Streptococcus mutans in a group of Turkish families.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the transmission of Streptococcus mutans in a group of Turkish families using AP-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection. METHODS: Eight mothers who had high S. mutans levels in unstimulated saliva and 8 children aged between 2 and 3 years participated in the study. Plaque samples from each child were collected with the tips of sterile toothpicks for S. mutans counts. Although not part of the original study design, S. mutans samples were also obtained from the unstimulated saliva of the three fathers who shared the same households. Three typical isolates of S. mutans were isolated from TYCSB agar of each subject and identified by sugar fermentation tests. S. mutans ATCC 10449 was used as the reference strain. AP-PCR was conducted with OPA-05 primer. RESULTS: All of the mothers and fathers shared the similar genotypes within their children. The fathers also harbored similar genotypes to their spouses. CONCLUSION: The mothers or the fathers could be the source for the transmission of S. mutans to their children.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Inducible and constitutive formation of fructanase in batch and continuous cultures of Streptococcus mutans.

The production of extracellular beta-D-fructanase by several strains of Streptococcus mutans was studied in continuous culture. When glucose was the limiting nutrient, S. mutans K1-R and OMZ176 accumulated fructanase to maximum levels at low growth rates (dilution rate 0.05-0.10 h-1), due to the longer residence times of the bacteria in the culture vessel under these conditions. Extracellular fructanase activity was greater than has been previously reported for batch cultures. The rate of fructanase production for both S. mutans strains K1-R and OMZ176 increased with increasing growth rate when glucose was limiting. Under conditions of glucose sufficiency, the rate of fructanase production was always lower than in cultures where glucose was limiting, irrespective of the growth rate. Cultures of S. mutans Ingbritt (serotype c) grown with sorbitol- or glucose-limitation synthesized fructanase at a very low basal rate. When fructose was the limiting carbohydrate the enzyme was induced with a maximum rate of production occurring at a dilution rate of 0.40 h-1. Strains of S. mutans from other serotypes (a, d, d/g) were either not affected by changing the limiting sugar from glucose to fructose or else fructanase activity was slightly decreased in the fructose-limited medium. Fructanases from various strains of S. mutans readily hydrolysed (2----6)-beta-D-fructans, but all possessed the ability to hydrolyse (2----1)-beta-D-fructans to varying degrees.

Bacterial Proteins↗

PubMed1984

Relatedness and classification of Streptococcus mutans and "mutans-like" streptococci.

The "mutans-like" streptococci can be separated into five species (Streptococcus mutans, S. rattus, S. sobrinus, S. cricetus, and S. ferus) that belong to the same rRNA homology cluster. New valuable chemical characters for differentiation of the five species--such as peptidoglycan type, presence of cell wall teichoic acid, and cell wall sugar composition--are described. The peptidoglycan type and the cell wall sugar composition can be determined by rapid procedures.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Oral adjuvants enhance IgA responses to Streptococcus mutans.

The induction of immune responses to orally-administered trinitrophenyl (TNP)-haptenated Streptococcus mutans or its cell wall components and enhancement of immune responses with oral adjuvants has been studied in high IgA responsive C3H/HeJ mice and in gnotobiotic rats. Gastric intubation of TNP-S. mutans to LPS non-responsive C3H/HeJ or syngeneic, LPS responsive C3H/HeN mice induced IgA responses as determined by measuring splenic plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses and IgA anti-TNP antibodies in serum, saliva, and urine. Higher IgA responses always occurred in C3H/HeJ mice given oral S. mutans antigen than similarly treated C3H/HeN animals. Oral administration of the adjuvants concanavalin A or S. mutans cell wall peptidoglycan (PG) with antigen resulted in augmented IgA responses, especially in C3H/HeJ mice. On the other hand, oral administration of muramyl dipeptide (MDP) with antigen boosted anti-TNP responses in C3H/HeN, but not in C3H/HeJ, mice. Gnotobiotic rats given S. mutans whole cells (WC) or purified cell walls (CW) by the oral route exhibited a salivary IgA immune response which was potentiated greater than twofold when antigen was given with PG or MDP. In other studies, S. mutans WC or CW antigen in water-oil-water (W/O/W) emulsion or liposomes was administered by gastric intubation to rats. Significant salivary IgA responses were induced with these antigen-adjuvant preparations. Although rats given S. mutans WC or CW were protected from S. mutans challenge, the greatest degree of caries immunity was obtained in animals which received antigen and adjuvant and which exhibited significant salivary IgA antibody levels. In preliminary studies, it was observed that local injection of rats in the salivary gland region with a ribosomal preparation from S. mutans resulted in a significant salivary IgA response and caries immunity. The potential for soluble and lipid carrier adjuvants in oral vaccines for induction of protective antibodies to S. mutans is discussed.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Characteristics of "Streptococcus mutans" from endocarditis and susceptibility to antimicrobial agents (author's transl)].

Strains of Streptococcus mutans were isolated from blood cultures of ten patients with endocarditis. Nine of these patients had a typical clinical picture of subacute bacterial endocarditis, with fever, weakness, heart murmur and multiple positive blood cultures. All the patients had previous valvular heart diseases; only in three cases the initiating event involved some type of dental manipulations which where supposed as the source of infection. The major criteria for recognizing S. mutans were colony morphology on blood agar, characteristic extracellular polysaccharide production in 5% sucrose broth, acid formation in mannitol and sorbitol broth, and the failure of antigenic extracts of S. mutans to react with streptococcal group antisera. The susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was tested by the diffusimetric method with susceptibility disks. All the strains were susceptible to penicillin G, erythromycin, pristinamycin, lincomycin and tetracycline, and resistant to streptomycin and gentamicine.

Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial↗

PubMed2004

Regulation of the intracellular free iron pool by Dpr provides oxygen tolerance to Streptococcus mutans.

Dpr is an iron-binding protein required for oxygen tolerance in Streptococcus mutans. We previously proposed that Dpr could confer oxygen tolerance to the bacterium by sequestering intracellular free iron ions that catalyze generation of highly toxic radicals (Y. Yamamoto, M. Higuchi, L. B. Poole, and Y. Kamio, J. Bacteriol. 182:3740-3747, 2000; Y. Yamamoto, L. B. Poole, R. R. Hantgan, and Y. Kamio, J. Bacteriol. 184:2931-2939, 2002). Here, we examined the intracellular free iron status of wild-type (WT) and dpr mutant strains of S. mutans, before and after exposure to air, by using electron spin resonance spectrometry. Under anaerobic conditions, free iron ion concentrations of WT and dpr strains were 225.9 +/- 2.6 and 333.0 +/- 61.3 microM, respectively. Exposure of WT cells to air for 1 h induced Dpr expression and reduced intracellular free iron ion concentrations to 22.5 +/- 5.3 microM; under these conditions, dpr mutant cells maintained intracellular iron concentration at 230.3 +/- 28.8 microM. A decrease in cell viability and genomic DNA degradation was observed in the dpr mutant exposed to air. These data indicate that regulation of the intracellular free iron pool by Dpr is required for oxygen tolerance in S. mutans.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1980

Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans by human plaque flora.

The ability of human oral bacteria to inhibit Streptococcus mutans was studied under a variety of in vitro conditions using an agar overlay assay. Extensive inherent variability in microbial antagonism by certain organisms was demonstrated. Antagonistic activity was also significantly influenced by changes in the assay conditions.

Bacterial Physiological Phenomena↗