The Distribution of Genus Streptococcus in the Oral Cavities of Cats

• Published in: International Journal of Oral-Medical Sciences Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 19 - 23
• Main Author: Iijima, Daisuke
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Research Institute of Oral Science, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo 2009; Research Institute of Oral Science
• Subjects: cat; microflora; oral cavity; streptococci
• ISSN: 1347-9733; 2185-4254
• DOI: 10.5466/ijoms.8.19

The purpose of this study was to investigate the microflora and identify streptococci from the oral cavity of cats. Oral samples from 15 cats were cultured on BHI-YE agar for total organisms, and selective media for streptococci and mutans streptococci. The distribution and characterization of the isolates were studied. The predominant bacteria were gram-positive and -negative rods, accounting for approximately 46.8% and 44.6% on BHI-YE plates, respectively. On MS medium, commonly used for the detection of oral streptococci in humans, the cultivable bacteria comprised 36% of those on BHI-YE medium. The predominant bacteria were gram-negative rods on MS plates. Gram-positive cocci were detected at low levels of less than 1% on both media. The genus Streptococcus was found in 5 cats, at 0.0002-0.0082% of total cultured bacteria. The most isolates were identified as Streptococcus minor. As one isolate could not be identified by biochemical and genetic methods, it was suggested that it might be a new species. Mutans streptococci were not detected from the oral cavity of the cats.