Effect of Psidium cattleianum leaf extract on Streptococcus mutans viability, protein expression and acid production

Plants naturally produce secondary metabolites that can be used as antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Psidium cattleianum leaf extract on Streptococcus mutans. The extract (100%) was obtained by decoction of 100 g of leaves in 600 ml of deionized water. To assess killing, S. mutans biofilms were treated with water (negative control) or various extract dilutions [ 100, 50, 25% (v/v) in water] for 5 or 60 min. To evaluate the effect on protein expression, biofilms were exposed to water or 1.6% (v/v) extract for 120 min, proteins were extracted and submitted to 2-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis. Differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry. The effect of 1.6% (v/v) extract on acid production was determined by pH measurements and compared to a water control. Viability was similar after 5 min of treatment with the 100% extract or 60 min with the 50% extract (about 0.03% survival). There were no differences in viability between the biofilms exposed to the 25 or 50% extract after 60 min of treatment (about 0.02% survival). Treatment with the 1.6% extract significantly changed protein expression. The abundance of 24 spots was decreased compared to water (p < 0.05). The extract significantly inhibited acid production (p < 0.05). It is concluded that P. cattleianum leaf extract kills S. mutans grown in biofilms when applied at high concentrations. At low concentrations it inhibits S. mutans acid production and reduces the expression of proteins involved in general metabolism, glycolysis and lactic acid production. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Influence of sample type and collection method on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. counts in the oral cavity

Objectives: This study compared three methods of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. detection in the oral cavity: saliva swab (SS)-sample of stimulated saliva collected with swab; whole saliva (WS)-sample of 2 ml of stimulated saliva; and the dental plaque method (DP)-plaque sample of all dental surfaces.Methods: Thirty children were included in this study. In the first 15 children, the SS and WS methods were carried out before the dental plaque collection, and in the following 15, the sequence was inverted to evaluate possible interference of the methods sequence. The samples were diluted and inoculated in SB20 and Rogosa agar, respectively for S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp., at 37 degrees C for 48 h.Results: the results (cfu/mL) of S. mutans were analysed by the statistical Friedman's test. The levels of Lactobacillus spp. were analysed by descriptive statistics due to the high proportion of zero counts in the culture. In the first sequence of methods, the number of S. mutans counted for the SS method was inferior to DP and WS (P < 0.05), and the results for the WS and DP methods were similar. The detection of Lactobacillus spp. was observed just by the WS (100 %) and SS (14.3 %) methods. However, in the second experimental set the number of S. mutans detected by the DP method was similar to those of the SS and WS, however, the WS method showed higher values than SS (P < 0.05). A greater number of Lactobacillus spp. was detected by the WS method (100 %), followed by SS (55.5 %) and DP (33.3 %).Conclusions: the dental plaque collection and the sample of stimulated whole saliva presented similar results in the S. mutans count. The most suitable method to detect the Lactobacillus spp. level in the oral cavity is the stimulated whole saliva method. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Presence of mutans streptococci and Candida spp. in dental plaque/dentine of carious teeth and early childhood caries

This study determined the presence of mutans streptococci and Candida spp. in supragingival. dental plaque and infected dentine of caries-free children, with early childhood caries and caries. Pooled samples of dental plaque and infected dentine were collected from 56 children aged 1-5 years, which were divided into 3 groups: early childhood caries (ECC); caries and caries-free. Infected dentine was collected in ECC and caries groups to compare the frequency of these microorganisms in the collected sites. The samples were inoculated in SB20 and SA medium, for mutans streptococci and Candida spp., respectively, and incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h. Colony growth was verified and the identification was performed by biochemical tests and CHROMagar Candida. Fisher's test or chi-square (chi(2)) were applied (p = 0.05). The more prevalent species were S. mutans and Candida albicans in ECC (85.4% and 60.4%, respectively), independently of the sample site. S. mutans only was significantly associated with carious teeth, whether in early childhood caries or not. However, the frequency of C. albicans in ECC was higher when compared to caries and caries-free groups. There is a significant association between the presence of C. albicans and early childhood caries. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fatigue and Fluoride Corrosion on Streptococcus mutans Adherence to Titanium-Based Implant/Component Surfaces

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação quantitativa de Streptococcus do grupo mutans e Candida sp e fatores salivares na cavidade bucal de pacientes submetidos à radioterapia

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar quantitativamente os microrganismos, Streptococcus do grupo mutans e Candida sp, da cavidade bucal de pacientes com carcinoma de orofaringe antes, durante e após o tratamento com radioterapia e correlacionar fatores salivares como pH, capacidade tampão (CT) e fluxo salivar (FS). Amostras de saliva foram coletadas, diluídas e inoculadas em ágar SB-20 e ágar Sabouraud, respectivamente para Streptococcus do grupo mutans e Candida sp. Previamente à diluição, a saliva concentrada foi analisada, determinando-se os fatores salivares. Após crescimento das colônias, o número de microrganismos foi determinado em UFC/ml. A análise dos resultados permitiu concluir que houve correlação positiva entre os fatores salivares e a presença de microrganismos ilustrada pelo aumento no número de UFC/ml dos microrganismos analisados concomitantemente com a diminuição do fluxo salivar. Os efeitos da radiação comprometeram a homeostasia salivar e favoreceram o aumento das infecções por leveduras e bactérias durante o tratamento radioterápico.

Genetic polymorphism of Streptococcus mutans in Brazilian family members

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Efficacy of dip slide test for mutans streptococci in caries risk assessment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a dip slide test for mutans streptococci in caries risk assessment, when the microbiological results were compared to well-defined clinical criteria (DCC) for caries risk, clinically measured through high and low caries activity. Eighty-one volunteers from the 6(th) to 8(th) grades from public schools of Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil, were evaluated for dental caries. All free smooth surfaces were evaluated to check whether or not there were white spots. Based on the subjects' caries experience, a calibrated clinician divided them into groups of high and low caries activity. The subjects were submitted to a salivary test (CARITEST SM (R)) from the same batch number. Kappa statistics (kappa) were applied to verify the reproducibility of the simplified test, checked through interexaminer agreement when the results were classified by independent and blind means. The microbiological results were validated according to expressions of sensitivity and specificity. A moderate agreement was verified as the results were classified according to 6 scores (kappa =0.55), and the agreement was substantial when the results were classified according to high and low microbiological count (kappa =0.78). The sensitivity and specificity values were 0.59 and 0.85, respectively, showing that the test was more specific than sensitive, and could thus better identify the low caries risk subjects.

Caries risk tests and salivary levels of immunoglobulins to Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans in mouthbreathing syndrome patients

The aim of this study was to compare microbiological and salivary variables possibly related to caries risk in treated and untreated mouthbreathing syndrome (MBS) children and control children. Thirty control children, 30 mouthbreathers and 25 treated mouthbreathers were studied for the numbers of lactobacilli, mutans streptococci and yeasts in their saliva. Snyder's test, salivary flow and buffering capacity were also evaluated. Levels of immunoglobulins to Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans in the saliva were quantified using ELISA. Considering the results obtained for the microbiological and salivary caries risk tests, no significant differences were observed among the proportions of patients with small/negative and high/moderate caries risk in the studied groups. The level of IgG to S. mutans was significantly higher in the treated MBS group in relation to MBS patients. on the other hand, the median anti-S. mutans IgM level was lower in the treated MBS patients than in the other groups. For the studied anti-Candida immunoglobulins, IgM level was significantly lower in the treated MBS group than in the other groups. No differences were observed for anti-S. mutans and anti-Candida IgA levels among the groups. The findings suggest that mouthbreathing cannot be considered a risk factor for dental caries. Copyright (C) 2003 S. KargerAG, Basel.

Susceptibility of Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans biofilms to photodynamic inactivation: an in vitro study

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Adhesion on Composite Resin Surfaces After Different Finishing and Polishing Techniques

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Adhesive Systems on Streptococcus Mutans

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Reprodutibilidade de um teste microbiológico para estreptococos do grupo mutans

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Detecção de anticorpo anticoração em camundongos Balb/c imunizados com Streptococcus mutans

Anticorpos para antígenos cardíacos foram analisados por ELISA em 14 soros de camundongos Balb/c hiperimunizados com Streptococcus mutans, inativado pelo formaldeído. Os níveis de anticorpos da classe IgG anticoração e antimiosina elevaram-se significativamente nos animais imunizados quando comparados com os controles, especialmente no grupo A, imunizado e reestimulado com antígenos solúveis de S. mutans. Neste grupo, os resultados do Western Blot mostraram reatividade com miosina cardíaca e uma banda de 35 kDa. A análise histológica dos corações dos animais do grupo B, imunizado e reestimulado com antígenos de superfície do microrganismo, demonstrou a presença de degeneração celular, tipo hidrópica e hialina e focos inflamatórios constituídos de linfócitos e macrófagos no miocárdio e pericárdio. Os resultados deste trabalho reforçam a hipótese da existência de mimetismo antigênico entre tecido cardíaco e S. mutans e chamam a atenção para o risco de desenvolvimento de anticorpos reativos com antígenos próprios induzidos por vacina anticárie com componentes estreptocócicos.

IgA anti-Streptococcus mutans em crianças com e sem cárie dentária

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)