title: Establishment and localization of mixtures of Streptococcus mutans serotypes in the oral cavity of the rat.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D001430:Bacteriocins; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005936:Glucans