Quantitative detection of Streptococcus mutans in the dental plaque of Japanese preschool children by real-time PCR.
OBJECTIVE
To detect quantitatively the total bacteria and Streptococcus mutans in dental plaque by real-time PCR with prbac, Sm and GTF-B primers, and to compare their presence with the prevalence of dental caries in Japanese preschool children.


RESULTS
Human dental plaque samples were collected from the labial surfaces of the upper primary central incisors of 107 children. The dental status was recorded as dft by WHO caries diagnostic criteria. Positive dt and dft scores by the Sm or GTF-B primer were significantly higher than negative scores (P < 0.01). The proportions of Strep. mutans to the total bacteria from sound, and sound and/or filled upper primary incisors were significantly lower than those from decayed or filled, and decayed incisors, respectively (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The ratios of Strep. mutans to total bacteria in plaque detected by real-time PCR with Sm and GTF-B primers were closely associated with the prevalence of dental caries in Japanese preschool children.


CONCLUSIONS
These assays may be useful for the assessment of an individual's risk of dental caries.
Hata
S
S
Department of Oral Health Science, Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan. arshadrubina@hotmail.com
Hata
H
H
Miyasawa-Hori
H
H
Kudo
A
A
Mayanagi
H
H
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial