Relative cariogenicity and in-vivo plaque-forming ability of the bacterium Streptococcus oralis in gnotobiotic WAG/RIJ rats.
The rats, fed a high sucrose diet, were mono-infected with seven strains of Streptococcus oralis. Moderate levels of caries were induced by four strains, and three others induced low levels. Approximal lesions were induced by two strains; no buccal/lingual lesions were produced. Scanning electron microscopy showed that all strains colonized the tooth fissures, some strains producing a moderately abundant and dense plaque. The most cariogenic strains (PB178, PB180 and PB186) induced similar levels of caries to Streptococcus milleri.
D000818:Animals; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000209:etiology*; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000472:pathogenicity*