Establishment and localization of mixtures of Streptococcus mutans serotypes in the oral cavity of the rat.
The colonization of S. mutans serotypes on different tooth surfaces of the rat was investigated. Fissures appeared to be the main habitat. In the presence of a serotype c strain, S. mutans serotype d could only be established when sucrose-containing diets were supplied. However, the serotype c strain was always present in higher proportions. The production of a bacteriocin for which the serotype d strain was sensitive appeared to be responsible for the observed predominance of the serotype c strain.
D000818:Animals; D001430:Bacteriocins / Q000502:physiology; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000378:metabolism; D005936:Glucans / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D001430:Bacteriocins; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005936:Glucans