title: Growth and activities of sulfate-reducing and methanogenic bacteria in human oral cavity.
abstract: Viable counts and activities of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and methanogenic bacteria were determined in the oral cavities of eight volunteers. Of these, seven harbored viable SRB populations, and six harbored viable methanogenic bacterial populations. Two volunteers classified as type III periodontal patients had both SRB and methanogenic bacteria. Six separate sites were sampled: posterior tongue, anterior tongue, mid-buccal mucosa, vestibular mucosa, supragingival plaque, and subgingival plaque. The SRB was found in all areas in one volunteer, and it was mostly present in posterior tongue, anterior tongue, supragingival, and subgingival plaques in many volunteers. The methanogenic bacteria were mostly found in supragingival and subgingival plaques. The activities of sulfate reduction and methane production were determined in randomly selected isolates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA 70310, USA. Biol-rrb@nicholls.edu
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robichaux
authors.forename: Monroe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: Ramaraj
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boopathy
mesh_terms: D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D019605:Euryarchaeota / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000382:microbiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism*; D016999:Sulfur-Reducing Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D014059:Tongue / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D013431:Sulfates; D008697:Methane; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide