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

  • Original Scientific Article
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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Drs. Vlachou I. and Karafergia E. of the Social Insurance Institution of Thessaloniki and the postgraduate students of the Department of Paediatric Dentistry of Aristotle University for their valuable assistance in supporting sample collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    S. Fragkou, C. Balasouli, A. Argyropoulou & N. Kotsanos

  2. Department of Dentistry, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Chiba, Japan

    O. Tsuzukibashi

  3. Lab of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    G. Menexes

  4. Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

    S. Kalfas

Authors
  1. S. Fragkou
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  2. C. Balasouli
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  3. O. Tsuzukibashi
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  4. A. Argyropoulou
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  5. G. Menexes
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  6. N. Kotsanos
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  7. S. Kalfas
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Correspondence to S. Fragkou.

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Fragkou, S., Balasouli, C., Tsuzukibashi, O. et al. Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Candida albicans in oral samples from caries-free and caries-active children. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 17, 367–375 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-016-0239-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-016-0239-7

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