title: Epidemiological survey of Streptococcus mutans among Japanese children. Identification and serological typing of the isolated strains.
abstract: An epidemiological investigation was carried out to identify and determine the serotypes of Streptococcus mutans from carious lesions of young Japanese children. For this purpose, a direct fluorescent antibody technique was mainly used. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated antibodies were prepared for the five known serotypes of S. mutans. Cross reactions and nonspecific reactions were eliminated by adsorption, counterstaining, or DEAE-cellulosecolumn chromatography. Agar-gel immunodiffusion was used to distinguish between serotypes a and d. The epidemiological survey suggested that serotype c strains were most prevalent in dental plaques of Japanese children. The d and e serotypes were rare and serotypes a and b were not detected. It was also noted that more than one serotype of S. mutans could be found in the same locus of a carious lesion and that there might be no relationship between the degree of caries and the causative serotype(s) of S. mutans.
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D012703:Serotyping; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial