[Streptococci mutans: a semi-quantitative method to assess the risk to oral infection in preschool Chilean children].
BACKGROUND
Salivary infection due to Streptococci mutans is considered the main microbiological risk factor for the initiation of dental caries.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a semi-quantitative method to assess Streptococci mutans salivary infection and compare it with the existing quantitative method.


METHODS
Saliva samples were obtained from 650 preschool children aged 2 to 6 years old using a TYCSB liquid medium for counting Streptococci mutans. Results were compared with quantitative cultures.


RESULTS
There was a 99.3% linear correlation coefficient between both methods. The correlation coefficients with dental caries prevalence were 97% for the semi quantitative method and 90% for the quantitative method.


CONCLUSIONS
The semi-quantitative method to assess oral infection with Streptococci mutans, is accurate enough to be used in population studies and oral infection prevention programs in developing countries.
Linossier
Alfredo
A
Servicio de Odontología y Cirugía Máxilo Facial, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. alinossi@terra.cl
Vargas
Alex
A
Zillmann
Gisela
G
Arriagada
Moisés
M
Rojas
Robinson
R
Villegas
Rodrigo
R
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003470:Culture Media; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D003470:Culture Media