Adherent interactions which may affect microbial ecology in the mouth.
Bacteria attach to teeth and oral mucosal surfaces in a surprisingly selective manner, and attachment appears to be the first step in the colonization process. Attachment is thought to involve lectin-like and/or hydrophobic ligands, called adhesins, often present in bacterial surface appendages which interact with receptors on oral tissues. A variety of factors can influence bacterial attachment, and therefore have the potential to affect host-parasite interactions in the mouth. Factors discussed include salivary components, dietary lectins, and sublethal concentrations of antibiotics.
D000268:Adhesiveness; D000327:Adsorption; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000166:cytology; D001665:Binding Sites; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000502:physiology; D003741:Dental Deposits / Q000503:physiopathology; D004463:Ecology; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000502:physiology; D008024:Ligands / Q000378:metabolism; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000502:physiology; D013045:Species Specificity; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013395:Sucrose / Q000378:metabolism; D014070:Tooth / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D037102:Lectins; D008024:Ligands; D013395:Sucrose