Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Candida albicans in oral samples from caries-free and caries-active children

• Published in: European archives of paediatric dentistry Vol. 17; no. 5; pp. 367 - 375
• Main Authors: Fragkou, S., Balasouli, C., Tsuzukibashi, O., Argyropoulou, A., Menexes, G., Kotsanos, N., Kalfas, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.10.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age Factors; Bacteria; Bacteriological Techniques - methods; Candida albicans - genetics; Candida albicans - isolation & purification; Child; Child, Preschool; Children & youth; Colony Count, Microbial; Dental caries; Dental Caries - microbiology; Dental plaque; Dental Plaque - microbiology; Dentistry; DNA Probes; Ethnicity; Female; Girls; Humans; Hypotheses; Male; Medicine; Methods; Microorganisms; Monte Carlo simulation; Original Scientific Article; Saliva; Saliva - microbiology; Sex Factors; Streptococcus infections; Streptococcus mutans - genetics; Streptococcus mutans - isolation & purification; Streptococcus sobrinus - genetics; Streptococcus sobrinus - isolation & purification; White people; Mutans streptococci; Dental caries; C. albicans
• ISSN: 1818-6300; 1996-9805
• DOI: 10.1007/s40368-016-0239-7

Aim This was to examine the occurrence of S. mutans , S. sobrinus and C. albicans in dental plaque and saliva from caries-free and caries-active Greek children. Methods Saliva and dental plaque samples from 46 caries-free and 51 caries-active 3-to-13-year-old children were examined using selective media for the three microbes. Identification of isolated mutans streptococci ( S. mutans and S. sobrinus ) was performed with biochemical test and specific DNA probes. The salivary levels of mutans streptococci were additionally determined by a chair-side test (Dentocult ® SM strips). Results The isolation frequencies of S. mutans , S. sobrinus and C. albicans were 66, 11 and 18 %, respectively. Caries-active children harboured more frequently and at significantly higher numbers the specific microbes than caries-free children. A similar pattern was observed with the Dentocult ® SM strip scores. No correlation was found between the presence of these microbes and the age or gender of the children. Conclusions Caries experience was statistically significantly related to the presence of all three microbes under study, both in dental plaque and saliva.