Correlation among mutans streptococci counts, dental caries, and IgA to Streptococcus mutans in saliva

Two-hundred and forty individuals were studied, divided into five groups as follows: caries-free children, children with caries, children with rampant caries, young adults with and without caries. Whole stimulated saliva was collected and all individuals were investigated for DMFT/dmft according to the WHO criteria and the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S). Quantitative analysis of the total aerobic flora and mutans streptococci in saliva was performed. Also, the level of salivary anti-S. mutans IgA was determined by ELISA. Children with rampant caries showed the highest OHI-S value. The highest total counts of microorganisms were found in the group of children with caries. No statistically significant differences were observed for salivary flow, OHI-S and microorganism counts between the groups of young adults. No correlation between mutans streptococci counts and anti-Streptococcus mutans IgA levels was observed in the studied groups. A correlation between increased anti-Streptococcus mutans IgA levels and caries-free status was observed among young adults but not among children.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Koga-Ito,Cristiane Yumi, Martins,Clélia Aparecida de Paiva, Balducci,Ivan, Jorge,Antonio Olavo Cardoso
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica - SBPqO 2004
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1806-83242004000400014
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