title: [Effects of chitosans with different molecular weights on Streptococcus sanguis biofilm].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of chitosan on Streptococcus sanguis biofilm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Streptococcus sanguis biofilm was formed on saliva-coated glass (SCG) in a flow culture system, then exposed to 2% chitosans with different molecular weights (5 cps, 80 cps, 600 cps) for 3, 10, 30 minutes. Confocal laser scanning microscope and Vital/Dead fluorescent staining technique (vital stained green, dead stained red) were combined to observe the biofilm thickness, bacterial density. Analysis of variance was used for comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The biofilm thickness and bacterial density reduced significantly after treatment by 2% chitosan. Of all the treatment groups, 5 cps (low molecular weight) chitosan is most effective (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  5 cps (low molecular weight) chitosan seems to be most effective in detaching biofilm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, College of Stomatology, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China. marui6868@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D012463:Saliva; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D048271:Chitosan