title: [Susceptibility of Streptococcus mutans biofilm to antimicrobial agents].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the susceptibility of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilms to antimicrobial agent by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).
  
  
  METHODS
  S. mutans biofilms formed in vitro on glass slice were acted on with penicillin of different concentrations for 3 h. Then these biofilms were stained by fluorescence and were observed by CLSM. The bacterial density and viability of biofilms were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When S. mutans biofilms were exposed to penicillin of 2 500 mg/L for 3 h, it was not completely killed. The higher the concentration of penicillin was, the weaker the biofilms against penicillin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with planktonic S. mutans, S. mutans biofilms produced stronger resistance to penicillin. It suggests that we should find new strategies to control the infection caused by biofilm in clinic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Stomatology; Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China.
authors.forename: Zi-sheng
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010406:Penicillins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010406:Penicillins