Immunological and Microbiologic Changes during Caries Development in Young Children

Abstract

We explored the association between caries development, colonization with caries-associated microflora, and immunity as children begin the transition to mixed dentition. Forty children received dental examinations at 3–4 years of age, repeated a year later. Children were grouped into caries-free (n = 23; CF) and caries-active (n = 17; CA ≧3 new lesions on follow-up). Salivary IgA and IgA antibody to Streptococcus mutans virulence epitopes were measured by Luminex assay. Mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacilli and total microorganisms were enumerated on selective media from plaque samples. There was no significant difference in baseline levels of MS or lactobacilli between CF and CA groups. However, both MS and lactobacilli levels were higher at follow-up in the CA group. Furthermore, children with detectable lactobacilli at baseline had significantly higher caries risk. Salivary IgA concentrations increased significantly in both groups during the study. Both CF and CA groups also displayed significant increases in salivary IgA antibody levels to glucosyltransferase, glucan-binding protein (Gbp) and antigen I/II salivary binding region. CF antibody levels to seven peptides associated with domains of biological importance increased at follow-up, in contrast to increases to only three peptides in CA saliva samples. Multivariate modeling showed that a lower baseline level of salivary IgA anti-GbpB was associated with higher caries risk. These data indicate that MS and lactobacilli are associated with caries in this population, that the secretory immune system is undergoing significant maturation during this period, and that the breadth of mucosal IgA response to epitopes of S. mutans virulence components may influence the degree to which these cariogenic microorganisms can cause disease.

Acquisition of Oral Microbes and Associated Systemic Responses of Newborn Nonhuman Primates

“…Based upon existing literature examining the responses to other oral bacteria, it is not surprising that defined patterns of adaptive responses were observed to the transmitted bacteria (61). Differences were observed between the individual infant monkeys in the magnitude and timing of responses to the various bacterial species; however, the principal difference in these response characteristics was between the groups of monkeys from diseased versus orally healthy mothers, which was reflected in the oral colonization by the different species.…”

Salivary Immunoglobulin A in Relation to the Viable Count of Mutans Streptococci in Children with Early Childhood Caries

“…Selecting the participants from different kindergarten in Baghdad from al-karkh sector, after receiving the child guardian approval, ensuring no systemic disease, for the selected cases their BMI was measured (height and weight to determine BMI) [22] to ensure they are in the same wanted range (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20), then the teeth of selected children were checked and their dmf was recorded according to the criteria of (WHO, 1987) [23].…”

AgNPs: The New Allies Against S. Mutans Biofilm - A Pilot Clinical Trial and Microbiological Assay

“…Owing to its acidogenic and aciduric characteristics that contribute to colonization of the tooth surface, dental plaque formation and to demineralization of hard dental tissues, Streptococcus mutans is regarded as the main bacterium related to the initiation of dental caries (2).…”

“…In dentistry, 38% Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF), Ag(NH 3 ) 2 F, has been used to arrest caries since 1969 (4). Laboratory studies have reported that SDF prevents the formation of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Actinomyces naeslundii, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus biofilms (5), but its use for dental purposes is generally not encouraged, because it induces black tooth discoloration.…”