Specific Lactobacillus/Mutans Streptococcus Co-aggregation

• Published in: Journal of dental research Vol. 89; no. 2; pp. 175 - 179
• Main Authors: Lang, C., Böttner, M., Holz, C., Veen, M., Ryser, M., Reindl, A., Pompejus, M., Tanzer, J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC SAGE Publications 01.02.2010; International Association for Dental Research; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adult; Bacterial Adhesion - drug effects; Biofilms; Biological and medical sciences; Dental Plaque - microbiology; Dentistry; Facial bones, jaws, teeth, parodontium: diseases, semeiology; Hot Temperature; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lactobacillus - physiology; Medical sciences; Microbial Interactions; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Peptide Hydrolases - pharmacology; Probiotics; Saliva; Streptococcus mutans - physiology; Sucrose - pharmacology; lactobacilli; probiotic; mutans streptococci; co-aggregation; Human; Probiotic; Microorganism interrelationships; Stomatology; Dental disease; Dental carie; Temperature effect; Dental plaque; In vitro; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcaceae; Oral cavity; Microbiological investigation; Biofilm; Bacteria; Lactobacillaceae; Micrococcales; Adult; Lactobacillus
• ISSN: 0022-0345; 1544-0591
• DOI: 10.1177/0022034509356246

Selective interaction of mutans streptococci with benign bacteria could present an opportunity for their removal from the mouth without disruption of other oral flora. This study was conducted to find probiotic lactobacilli that could specifically co-aggregate in vitro with mutans streptococci, but not with other plaque commensals. A search of 624 lactobacilli among a large culture library revealed 6 strains, all classifiable as L. paracasei or L. rhamnosus, which met this criterion. Such novel, specific co-aggregation, however, was not a general characteristic of these species or the genus Lactobacillus. The co-aggregation by these specific lactobacilli was characterized as heat treatment (autoclaving)- and protease-resistant, lectin-independent, not inactivated by sugar substitutes, operational over a wide pH range, unaffected by whole saliva, but calcium-dependent. It is thus seen to present a potential strategy for in vivo alteration of plaque biofilm and caries.