Mutans streptococci in preschool twins.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether genetic factors influence variation in salivary levels of the mutans streptococci (MS) in preschool twins.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 48 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins and 54 pairs of dizygotic (DZ) twins. Genotyping eight highly polymorphic DNA markers determined zygosity. Demographic data and antibiotic exposure as reported by mothers were obtained by a face-to-face interview. Salivary levels of MS were determined by the Stripmutanstrade mark test. Test results are reported on a scale of 0-3. Regression analysis, two sample t-tests and structural equation modeling were applied to analyse the data.


RESULTS
Only 6% of the participants ever visited a dentist (F component of the DMFS was 0 for this population). Average salivary scores for the mutans streptococci were significantly different between MZ (1.1+/-0.1) and DZ (0.8+/-0.1) twins (p=0.021). High salivary levels of MS (scores 2 and 3) were observed in 42% of MZ twins and in 26% of DZ twins. Regression analysis on the MS salivary levels revealed no significant effects of age, gender and antibiotic intake for MZ or DZ twins. The heritability of mutans streptococci colonisation in 48 pairs MZ and in 26 pairs of DZ twins was estimated to be 52%. The non-shared environment contribution was estimated to be 48%.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that variation in the salivary levels of the mutans streptococci is significantly contributed by genetic factors.
Corby
P M A
PM
School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 380 Salk Hall, 3501 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261, USA.
Bretz
W A
WA
Hart
T C
TC
Filho
M Melo
MM
Oliveira
B
B
Vanyukov
M
M
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000635:transmission; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic