Frequency of the bacterium Streptococcus mutans in the saliva of selected human populations.
Stimulated saliva was transported from the mouth to a selective substrate, MSB-agar, with a wooden spatula. School children, aged 7-15, military recruits, aged 19-21, and a group of refugees from Vietnam were investigated. 10-15 per cent, in one exceptional case 35 per cent of the sampled school children had no detectable Strep. mutans, whereas about 20 per cent had very high numbers. The recruits were slightly more infected, and the refugees heavily infected. High numbers of Strep. mutans in saliva indicate a high-caries risk.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002648:Child; D003732:Dental Caries Activity Tests; D006801:Humans; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000032:analysis*