agar and Dental-Caries

Minimally invasive dentistry is a highly convenient and efficient method of managing caries in pediatric patients. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is commonly used to arrest active caries lesions. However, the associated black stain, possibility of soft tissue injury, and unpleasant taste often limit its use. Recently, nanosilver fluoride (NSF) emerged as a promising topical fluoride agent with potent cariostatic and antibacterial potentials. This novel anticaries agent has gained attention as an alternative to overcome the drawbacks of SDF in caries arrest.. To assess the antibacterial effect of NSF in relation to caries activity in dentin caries lesions, as well as to investigate the change in saliva bacterial levels in primary teeth in comparison to SDF after 1 and 3 months.. Fifty children aged 4 to 6 years old with active dentin caries lesions (score 5 according to International Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) criteria) will be enrolled in the study. They will be equally and randomly allocated into 2 groups: a group receiving NSF and a control group receiving SDF treatment. Microbiological samples will be collected from the carious lesions and from unstimulated saliva at the baseline and at the 1 and 3 months' follow-up appointments. Bacterial counts will be assessed using Mitis Salivarius agar (selective culture media for S. mutans) and Rogosa agar (selective culture media for lactobacilli), and the results will be expressed in colony-forming units. Data regarding the children's oral health will be collected and their dmf index will be scored. The arrest of active carious lesions will be measured at the follow-up appointments according to ICDAS II criteria.. The relation between bacterial colony counts and lesion activity for both groups will be assessed, as well as the change in salivary bacterial counts. The collected data will be statistically evaluated and tabulated. This clinical trial has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov in January 2022 (original version) with ID: NCT05221749.

Topics: Agar; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Culture Media; Dental Caries; Fluorides, Topical; Humans; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tooth, Deciduous

The high rate of microbes and their biological activity in the patient's mouth is a concern in the domains of dental caries and periodontal disease. The study aimed to shed light on the relationship between graphene oxide's nanoparticles (nGOs) antimicrobial properties and the growth of dental pathogenic bacteria. The forty swab samples were frequently collected from the patient's cavity mouth between November 2019 and January 2020, from patients who visited dentist clinics in Baghdad by taking swabs from mouth cavities with various dental caries with two age groups (5-17) and (18-60) from male and female to streaking them on Brain-Heart Infusion (BHI) agar, then identified by re-streaking on Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin (MSB) agar. All isolates were confirmed as Streptococcus mutans after API 20 Strep method. As well as the Colony Forming Units (CFU) were then determined after diluting the bacterial cell suspensions to obtain cell samples containing 1.5 × 108 CFU/ ml. The collagen-binding adhesin (cnm) and glucosyltransferases (gtf) of S. mutans genes were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method before and after exposure to the nGOs, which were prepared in different pulse laser energy (500, 600, and 700 mJ) with presence and absence of the magnetic field, and the data have been analyzing. After counting the CFU, the nGOs shows high effectiveness inhibiting the growth of S. mutans. This research provides definitive answers about the relationship between nGOs, antibacterial caries, and periodontal disease.

Topics: Agar; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dental Caries; Female; Humans; Iraq; Male; Periodontal Diseases; Streptococcus mutans

Caries is controlled by several factors including exposure to diets rich in carbohydrates, tooth susceptibility, and the presence of some oral flora bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Lactobacilli sp. Tooth demineralisation occurs when the pH in the oral cavity is lower than the critical pH of 5.5 which occurs because of the production of acid by the acidogenic bacteria in the oral flora when they break down sugars (substrate) for energy.. The objective of this study was to determine the salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus counts and their association with resting pH of saliva and dental caries in pre-school children in Lagos.. Fifty preschoolers with and without caries were recruited from the dental clinic and staff primary school in Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-araba respectively. Saliva was collected in Thioglycollate media. The resting pH of the saliva was measured immediately in the clinic with a pH meter (Jenway pH meter, PHS 25). In the laboratory, the samples were streaked on Mitis salivarius bacitracin agar (MSB) and Rogosa agar for S. mutans and Lactobacillus respectively and incubated anaerobically for 48 hours at 37°C. Biochemical tests and morphological characteristics of colonies were used to identify S. mutans and Lactobacillus.. The children were aged between 45 to 71 months with a mean age of 56.66 7.17 months. The mean age of the caries-free group was 55.48 7.57 months and that of caries active group was 57.84 6.76 months. The caries-active subjects recorded significantly higher bacterial counts of S. mutans and Lactobacillus compared to the cariesfree subjects. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus showed a negative and highly significant correlation with resting pH (r = - 0.38 and r = - 0.32 value respectively).. The resting pH of saliva in both groups was within normal values. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus counts were significantly inversely correlated to the resting pH value of saliva. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus counts were significantly higher in the caries active group.. La carie est contrôlée par plusieurs facteurs dont l'exposition à des régimes riches en glucides, la sensibilité des dents et la présence de certaines bactéries de la flore buccale telles que Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) et Lactobacilli sp.. La déminéralisation des dents se produit lorsque le pH dans la cavité buccale est inférieur au pH critique de 5,5 qui se produit à la suite de la production d'acide par les bactéries acidurogènes dans la flore buccale lorsqu'elles décomposent les sucres (substrat) pour l'énergie.. L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer le nombre de Streptococcus mutans et de Lactobacillus et leur association avec le pH au repos de la salive et des caries dentaires chez les enfants d'âge préscolaire à Lagos.. Cinquante enfants d'âge préscolaire avec et sans caries ont été recrutés respectivement à la clinique dentaire et à l'école primaire du personnel de l'hôpital universitaire de Lagos, Idiaraba. La salive a été recueillie dans un milieu au thioglycolate. Le pH au repos de la salive a été mesuré immédiatement en clinique avec un pHmètre (Jenway pH meter, PHS 25).Au laboratoire, les échantillons ont été striés sur gélose bacitracine Mitis salivarius (MSB) et gélose Rogosa pour S. mutans et Lactobacillus respectivement et incubés en anaérobiose pendant 48 heures à 37°C. Des tests biochimiques et des caractéristiques morphologiques des colonies ont été utilisés pour identifier S. mutans et Lactobacillus.. Les enfants étaient âgés de 45 à 71 mois avec un âge moyen de 56,66 ± 7,17 mois. L'âge moyen du groupe sans carie était de 55,48 ± 7,57 mois et celui du groupe avec carie active était de 57,84 ± 6,76 mois. Les sujets actifs carieux ont enregistré un nombre de bactéries significativement plus élevé de S. mutans et Lactobacillus par rapport aux sujets sans caries. Streptococcus mutans et Lactobacillus ont montré une corrélation négative et hautement significative avec la valeur du pH au repos (r = - 0.38 et r = - 0.32 respectivement) .. Le pH au repos de la salive dans les deux groupes était dans les valeurs normales. Les numérations de Streptococcus mutans et de Lactobacillus étaient significativement inversement corrélées à la valeur du pH de la salive au repos. Les numérations de Streptococcus mutans et de Lactobacillus étaient significativement plus élevées dans le groupe actif carieux.. Numération bactérienne, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus, pH delasalive,Enfants d'âgepréscolaire.

Topics: Agar; Child; Child, Preschool; Cyclophosphamide; Dental Caries; Doxorubicin; Humans; Nigeria; Saliva; Streptococcus mutans

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the probiotic effect of. Plaque samples from permanent first molars were collected and transferred aseptically onto Mitis-Salivarius agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours in the presence of 5-10% CO. Mutans streptococci exhibited positive inhibition with both the probiotic strains and. Dental caries remains silent epidemic and increasing antibiotic resistance is another major challenge that threatens the world. Newer methods such as whole-bacteria replacement therapy using probiotics for decreasing harmful oral pathogens and reducing the intake of antibiotics must be explored. More researches to promote use of probiotics should be initiated due to its possible preventive and health maintenance benefits providing an end to new cavities and antibiotic resistance.

Topics: Agar; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cephalothin; Dental Caries; Erythromycin; Humans; Lactobacillus; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Penicillins; Probiotics; Streptococcus mutans; Tetracycline; Vancomycin

To study the antimicrobial effect of chlorhexidine diacetate (CHX-D)-modified type II glass ionomer cement (GIC) against the two predominant deep caries microorganisms, namely Lactobacillus casei and Actinomyces viscosus.. An experimental GIC (ex-GIC) was prepared by mixing CHX-D powder with the powder of type II GIC to obtain 1% (w/w) concentration of CHX-D in the GIC. Antibacterial activity of this ex-GIC was tested against L. casei and A. viscosus using the agar diffusion method. The ex-GIC specimens were tested in their unset and set forms for each bacterium. For the unset group, specimens were placed in each agar plate immediately after manipulation and for the set group, specimens were placed in each agar plate, 1 hour after manipulation. The inhibition zones on the agar plate were recorded in millimeters immediately on placement of the specimen in the agar plate and after 48 hours. The reading was recorded and statistically analyzed for significant difference.. Mann-Whitney U test showed statistically significant difference in the inhibition zones produced by ex-GIC against L. casei and A. viscosus when both were compared in unset (p-value = 0.002) and set (p-value = 0.031) groups. For both the groups, the zone of inhibition against L. casei was greater. Though the unset group recorded wider zone of inhibition, the difference was not significant when compared with the respective set group. This was true for both the bacterial groups.. The 1% CHX-D-modified type II GIC showed antibacterial property against L. casei and A. viscosus and significantly higher activity against L. casei.. Addition of 1% CHX-D to type II GIC showed evidence of antibacterial activity against organisms found in deep carious lesion and therefore may exhibit superior antimicrobial efficiency when used as an intermediate therapeutic restoration in deep cavities.

Topics: Actinomyces viscosus; Agar; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Chlorhexidine; Dental Caries; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Glass Ionomer Cements; Humans; Lacticaseibacillus casei; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

The significance for anticariogenic sugar substitutes is growing due to increasing demands for dietary sugars and rising concerns of dental caries. Xylitol is widely used as an anticariogenic sugar substitute, but the inhibitory effects of xylitol on Streptococcus mutans, the main cause of tooth decay, are exhibited only at high concentrations. Here, the inhibitory effects of 3,6-anhydro-l-galactose (AHG), a rare sugar from red macroalgae, were evaluated on S. mutans, in comparison with those of xylitol. In the presence of 5g/l of AHG, the growth of S. mutans was retarded. At 10g/l of AHG, the growth and acid production by S. mutans were completely inhibited. However, in the presence of xylitol, at a much higher concentration (i.e., 40g/l), the growth of S. mutans still occurred. These results suggest that AHG can be used as a new anticariogenic sugar substitute for preventing dental caries.

Topics: Agar; Dental Caries; Galactose; Humans; Streptococcus mutans; Sweetening Agents; Xylitol

The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro antimicrobial effects of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX), polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHBM), and octenidine dihydrochloride (OCT) on cariogenic microorganisms by using their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). CHX, PHBM, and OCT were diluted in distilled water to the final test concentrations. Using the in-tube dilution method, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Actinomyces viscosus were cultivated on blood agar and Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB) at 37°C for 48 h. They were read using a spectrophotometer to detect MIC. To determine MBC, samples in the range of the turbidity threshold after 24 h were transferred onto blood agar and evaluated for growth after 24 h. Different MICs and MBCs were observed in all disinfectants against each microorganism. The lowest MIC and MBC against S. mutans (60 mg/L) were obtained from PHBM. The lowest values against L. rhamnosus (15 mg/L, 30 mg/L), A. viscosus (30 mg/L), and L. acidophilus (15 mg/L, 30 mg/L) were determined by OCT. PHBM and OCT have the potential to be replaced with CHX because they were effective against cariogenic microorganisms.

Topics: Agar; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Biguanides; Chlorhexidine; Dental Caries; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Imines; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pyridines; Reproducibility of Results; Spectrophotometry; Time Factors

The chewing stick (miswak) is used for oral hygiene in many parts of the world. In addition to the mechanical removal of plaque, an antibacterial effect has been postulated; however, tests of miswak extract from Salvadora persica (Arak) disclosed only low to moderate antibacterial effects. This may be attributable to the extraction process. Our aim was to test in vitro the antibacterial effect of miswak pieces, without extraction, on bacteria implicated in the etiology of periodontitis and caries.. Miswak pieces were standardized by size and weight (0.07 and 0.14 g) and tested against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans), Porphyromonas gingivalis, and, as a reference, Haemophilus influenzae. The miswak pieces were tested in two ways: embedded in the agar plate or suspended above the agar plate.. The inhibitory effect was most pronounced on P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and H. influenzae, less on S. mutans, and least on L. acidophilus. Suspended miswak had comparable or stronger effects than miswak embedded in agar. The 0.14-g suspended miswak exhibited significantly greater inhibition on A. actinomycetemcomitans and H. influenzae than the 0.14-g miswak embedded in agar (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively).. Miswak embedded in agar or suspended above the agar plate had strong antibacterial effects against all bacteria tested. The antibacterial effect of suspended miswak pieces suggests the presence of volatile active antibacterial compounds.

Topics: Agar; Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Culture Media; Dental Caries; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Materials Testing; Periodontitis; Plant Preparations; Plant Roots; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Salvadoraceae; Streptococcus mutans

This study was undertaken to evaluate the validity of a new modified dip-slide test kit for the estimation of salivary mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and Candida levels by comparison with the results obtained from conventional agar plate counts. Five milliliters of paraffin-stimulated saliva sample was collected from 118 6-12-year old children attending 4 primary schools in Thailand. Saliva was poured over a 3-compartment slide containing Mitis-Salivarius Bacitracin agar, Rogosa agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar. A slide was incubated in a 5% CO2 incubator for 48 hours. The results of the modified test kit were compared with those from the conventional saliva sampling with dilution method. The salivary mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and Candida counts obtained from the conventional methods were significantly correlated (p < 0.0001) with the modified dip-slide estimates of these organisms. (Kendall Tau = 0.71, 0.58 and 0.76, respectively). The correlation between a modified dip-slide test kit and the conventional method indicates that this new test kit is suitable for the screening of salivary mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and Candida levels in patients. The test is simple and would be useful for the early selection of patients for dental examination. In addition, it would be a valuable educational aid for the motivation and dietary counseling among children.

Topics: Agar; Candida; Child; Colony Count, Microbial; Dental Caries; Female; Humans; Lactobacillus; Male; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Reproducibility of Results; Risk Factors; Saliva; Sensitivity and Specificity; Streptococcus mutans

Mutans streptococci are oral bacteria with a key role in the initiation of dental caries, because their glucosyltransferases synthesize polysaccharides from sucrose that allow them to colonize the tooth surface. Among the strategies to prevent dental caries that are being investigated are (1) the inhibition of bacterial growth of mutans streptococci or (2) the inhibition of glucosyltransferases involved in polysaccharide formation. Pure fatty acid esters of sucrose, maltose and maltotriose were synthesized by an enzyme-catalyzed process and tested as inhibitors of two glucosyltransferases of great homology, those from Streptococcus sobrinus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F. In spite of having their nonreducing end glucose blocked at 6-OH, they did not inhibit dextran synthesis. However, their effect on the growth of S. sobrinus in the solid and liquid phase was notable. 6-O-Lauroylsucrose, 6'-O-lauroylmaltose and 6"-O-lauroylmaltotriose at 100 microg/mL showed complete inhibition of S. sobrinus in agar plates. Consequently, these nontoxic derivatives are very promising for inclusion in oral-hygiene products aimed at disrupting plaque formation and preventing caries.

Topics: Agar; Carbohydrate Conformation; Carbohydrate Sequence; Carbohydrates; Cell Division; Dental Caries; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Esters; Fatty Acids; Glucosyltransferases; Glycosyltransferases; Humans; Leuconostoc; Maltose; Models, Chemical; Polysaccharides; Streptococcus sobrinus; Sucrose; Trisaccharides

Although a few growth media are available for selective isolation of the cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), it is still unclear as to which is the most efficacious. This study compared the selectivity and sensitivity of five different media for growing a laboratory strain of S. mutans (NCTC 10449), and for enumerating S. mutans from teeth of a group of young children, aged 2-10 years.. The media tested in this study were mitis salivarius with bacitracin (MSB), mitis salivariuskanamycin-bacitracin (MSKB), glucose-sucrose-tellurite-bacitracin (GSTB), trypticase soy-sucrose-bacitracin (TYS20B) and tryptone-yeast-cysteine-sucrose-bacitracin (TYCSB) agars. These were prepared according to the respective manufacturer's instructions.. The results showed that at concentrations of bacteria 1 x 10(3) to 1 x 10(10)/mL, the recovery of the laboratory S. mutans strain was highest in TYCSB agar, followed by in descending order by TYS20B, MSB, GSTB, and MSKB (p<0.01). Similar results were obtained using dental plaque samples collected from swabs of the teeth of a group of children. In the clinical samples, TYCSB again showed the highest recovery rates of S. mutans compared to the other four media. Results were reproduced at dilutions of the samples at 1:20 x 10(6) to 1:2 x 10(6), and S. mutans concentrations of 1.6 to 7.7 Log 10 CFU/mL. In addition, there were highest ratios of mutans to non-mutans bacteria in TYCSB compared to the other media, suggesting high selectivity of this media for mutans species.. The results of our study suggest that TYCSB is the most sensitive and selective media for culture of S. mutans for laboratory and clinical studies.

Topics: Agar; Analysis of Variance; Child; Child, Preschool; Culture Media; Dental Caries; Humans; Sensitivity and Specificity; Streptococcus mutans

This study attempted to determine which combination of plaque or saliva, and tryptic soy agar, bacitracin (TSY20B) or mitis salivarius, bacitracin media, yielded the highest caries-predictive values for mutans counts in children with different caries prevalence. Sixty children were divided into three equally sized groups: caries free, low caries and high caries. Eighteen months later, their caries incidence and initial mutans count were compared. Fissure plaque on TSY20B yielded a high correlation between mutans counts and caries prevalence (P<0.009, r=3346) and incidence (P<0.003, r=4521). The caries-predictive values obtained demonstrate that the coefficient of variation of mutans counts from lower first-molar fissure plaque on TSY20B accounts for 20.4% of the variation in final caries index. This strong correlation provides a valuable tool for the identification of caries-prone individuals.

Topics: Agar; Analysis of Variance; Child; Colony Count, Microbial; Culture Media; Dental Caries; Dental Caries Susceptibility; Dental Plaque; DMF Index; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Predictive Value of Tests; Regression Analysis; Risk Assessment; Saliva; Statistics, Nonparametric; Streptococcus mutans

The MSB Agar (mitis salivarius-bacitracin) 20% sacarose medium is frequently used for the isolation and count of total streptococci and Streptococcus mutans. Although it is considered a selective culture medium for this micro-organism, S. mutans recovery in this medium is much lower than in this Mitis Salivarius Agar (MSA). Because the number of S. mutans in saliva is used for estimating caries risk and activity from a microbiological stand point, the aim of this work was to find a modification of the MSB 20% sacarose medium so that it would offer not only selectivity in the isolation but also maximum recovery. This would detect people at risk more efficiency and would evaluate the preventive odontological treatments more accurately. The results show that: 1) the greatest recovery of total streptococci and S. mutans is obtained in the MSB 10% sacarose medium, 2) S. mutans must be incubated in aerobiosis and the total streptococci in a candle jar (10% CO2). MSB 10% sacarose medium is proposed as a choice medium for the microbiological estimation of cariogenic risk and activity, to detect infection levels and evaluate preventive odontological treatments.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Agar; Bacitracin; Carbon Dioxide; Child; Culture Media; Dental Caries; Female; Glucose; Humans; Male; Oxygen; Risk Factors; Saliva; Species Specificity; Streptococcus; Streptococcus mutans

To evaluate the role of inhibitory substances produced by bacteria in the oral cavity, we estimated, by a deferred test on Todd-Hewitt agar enriched with hemin and vitamin K, the proportion of bacteria that inhibited or stimulated the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, from the saliva of 109 patients (54 males and 55 females) attending our dental clinics. The patients, aged from 8 to 75 years old (mean: 31 +/- 18 years), were randomly selected whatever the reason for their visit. The results, evaluated with the Spearman rank test, indicated that there was no statistically significant (P > 0.05) correlation between the proportion of salivary bacteria inhibiting or stimulating P. gingivalis with the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), the number of carious, missing and filled teeth, or with the decayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMFT). Also, no statistically significant correlation was observed between the proportion of salivary bacteria stimulating the growth of S. mutans and the above mentioned health indexes. However, a statistically significant (P < 0.005) negative correlation was found between the percentage of cultivated bacteria that inhibit S. mutans and the percentage of untreated carious teeth as well as with the CPITN. The results thus indicate a possible role for inhibitory substances produced by bacteria in the maintenance of oral health.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Agar; Aged; Antibiosis; Bacteria; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; Bacteriocins; Child; Colony Count, Microbial; Culture Media; Dental Caries; DMF Index; Ecology; Female; Hemin; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Periodontal Index; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Saliva; Sex Factors; Streptococcus mutans; Vitamin K

Topics: Agar; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Culture Media; Dental Caries; Dental Fissures; Humans; Models, Biological; Molar; Saliva, Artificial; Streptococcus mutans

Topics: Acids; Agar; Dental Caries; Dental Enamel; Humans

Topics: Agar; Child; Dental Caries; Humans; Lactobacillus; Streptococcus mutans; Tooth

A micromethod was developed for quantitative estimation in saliva of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli. With a semiautomatic pipette, 25 microliter of diluted saliva was spotted on the surface of an agar plate containing a selective medium. This volume gave a spot with a diameter of about 10 mm in which separate colonies could be counted. The results obtained with the spotting technique showed excellent agreement with those obtained with conventional agar plating. The method is convenient and results in a substantial saving of culture media.

Topics: Agar; Bacteriological Techniques; Child; Dental Caries; Humans; Lactobacillus; Saliva; Streptococcus mutans

Several Streptococcus mutans strains were markedly inhibited by mitis-salivarius agar manufactured by Baltimore Biological Laboratories, but little, if any, inhibition was noted using Difco Laboratories' mitis-salivarius agar. Supplementation of the basic medium with sucrose and bacitracin for specific selection of S. mutans resulted in suppression of representative S. mutans type a strains regardless of manufacturer.

Topics: Agar; Bacitracin; Child; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque; Humans; Streptococcus; Streptococcus mutans; Sucrose

Topics: Adult; Agar; Amphotericin B; Culture Media; Dental Caries; Humans; Lacticaseibacillus casei; Lactobacillus; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Yeasts

Topics: Agar; Animals; Antigens, Bacterial; Blood; Cricetinae; Cross Reactions; Culture Media; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque; Dextrans; Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Hemolysis; Humans; Immune Sera; Precipitin Tests; Rabbits; Rats; Serotyping; Streptococcus

Dental plaque samples from (i) subjects with no apparent oral disease, (ii) mentally retarded subjects with periodontal disease, and (iii) subjects with active caries were collected in three transport media viz. a dithiothreitol poised balanced mineral salt solution designated as reduced transport fluid (RTF), VMG II, and modified Stuart medium (SBL). The samples were dispersed by sonic treatment, diluted in the respective medium in which they were collected, and cultured on MM10 sucrose agar. The efficiency of the transport media in the survival of dental plaque flora was determined by comparing the quantitative recovery (expressed as percentage of the initial viable count) from the specimens stored for various lengths of time. The data showed a great variation in the recovery of the oral bacterial flora from the plaque samples. VMG II and SBL served better than RTF as storage media for non-disease-associated dental plaque cultured under strict anaerobic conditions. Recoveries of bacteria from periodontal plaque specimens stored in RTF were higher than SBL and VMG II under identical conditions. The organisms present in the carious plaque samples appeared to survive much better in RTF and VMG II than in SBL as determined by conventional anaerobic culturing technique. However, VMG II showed a higher recovery of organisms from these specimens with an increase in the storage period, suggesting multiplication of the plaque flora. RTF did not allow the growth of oral bacterial flora under all experimental conditions. On the basis of the relative performance of these media it is suggested that RTF is a satisfactory medium for the transport of oral bacteria present in the samples.

Topics: Adult; Agar; Anaerobiosis; Bacteria; Bacteriological Techniques; Cell Count; Cell Survival; Child; Culture Media; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque; Dithiothreitol; Edetic Acid; Humans; Periodontal Diseases; Preservation, Biological; Specimen Handling; Streptococcus; Sucrose

Topics: Agar; Apatites; Calcium; Calcium Phosphates; Child; Culture Media; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque; Glucose; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Statistics as Topic; Streptococcus; Tooth