title: Comparison of the plaque microflora in immunodeficient and immunocompetent dental patients.
abstract: The nature and extent of the immune dysfunctions in 20 immunodeficient patients, as well as the immunocompetence of 22 control subjects, were verified by cell-mediated responsiveness and immunoglobulin quantitations. Comparisons of the microbial composition of supragingival plaque between the two populations showed that a greater number of immunodeficient than control subjects harbored Candida sp. and Staphylococcus sp. Conversely, a lower number of immunodeficient than control subjects harbored Streptococcus mutans. Also, patients with immune dysfunctions had a lower dental caries experience than their immunocompetent counterparts.
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D002175:Candida / Q000166:cytology; D004245:DMF Index; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000166:cytology