Distribution of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus at Sub-Sites in Human Approximal Dental Plaque

Abstract

The distribution and prevalence of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were determined at three sub-sites in human approximal plaque: away from (A) to the side of (S) and below (B) the contact area. Small plaque samples were taken from all three sub-sites on clinically sound approximal surfaces of a single premolar from each of 21 schoolchildren. S. mutans was detected significantly more often and in higher proportions than S. sobrinus from sub-sites A (p = 0.019), S (p = 0.034) and B (p = 0.004). S. mutans was detected in highest proportions from the B site compared to the A site (p = 0.025); there were no significant differences in the isolation frequency or prevalence of S. sobrinus from any of the sub-sites. S. mutans and S. sobrinus were never isolated together from the A sub-sites and were recovered together most commonly from the B sub-sites (p < 0.01). It is concluded that S. mutans and S. sobrinus preferentially colonise the most caries-prone site apical to the contact area.

Caries prevalence associated with Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in Japanese schoolchildren

“…In this study, PCR results for permanent teeth as well as primary teeth in schoolchildren showed that those harbouring both S. mutans and S. sobrinus had a significantly higher prevalence of caries than those with only S. mutans , which agrees with the results of previous studies of schoolchildren aged 11–12 years old 16,17 , as well as studies of preschool children aged 3–5 years old 10,11,15 . The results of our study confirmed that mixed colonization of S. mutans and S. sobrinus is related to high caries prevalence in schoolchildren.…”

Ecological Study of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus spp. at Sub-Sites from Approximal Dental Plaque from Children

“…This could be due to favourable conditions for colonisation by these species. The variations at the three sub-sites with higher counts at sub-sites B and S than sub-site A for S. mutans is in a good agreement with the previous studies using IF [Gill et al, 1991] and for S. mutans and S. sobrinus using culture [Ahmady et al, 1993]. S. sobrinus and lactobacilli have not been previously studied at discrete sub-sites by IF techniques; therefore, only the average mean percentage value for the detection frequencies at the three sub-sites (53.3% for S. mutans and 34.3% for S. sobrinus) could be compared with previous studies.…”

“…Microbiological studies of approximal plaque have indicated previously that the closer the plaque is to the cariesprone sub-contact area, the higher the count of streptococci in general and of MS in particular [Gill et al, 1991;Ahmady et al, 1993]. It is possible that the proportions of a number of plaque species are affected by discrete local ecological conditions.…”

Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction for Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in dental plaque samples and its association with early childhood caries

“…Ahmady et al . have reported that the dmft index was higher in the children detected with both S. mutans and S. sobrinus than in the children detected with S. mutans only 3 . In the 3‐ to 5‐year‐old group, the ratio of children detected with S. mutans only was 25% and children with both S. mutans and S. sobrinus was 48%, and there were 10% of children without detected S. mutans in their saliva 6,20 .…”