title: Effect of a propolis extract on Streptococcus mutans counts in vivo.
abstract: To evaluate the antibacterial action of an extract of geopropolis produced by the bee Melipona compressipes fasciculata on the concentration of Streptococcus mutans colonizing the oral cavity of young patients. Forty-one young volunteers performed 21 mouth rinses divided into three rinses per day for 7 days, with no other changes in their oral hygiene and dietary habits. Saliva was collected at three time points: before the first rinse, and one hour and 7 days after the first rinse. A reduction in the concentration of S. mutans was observed in 49% of all samples collected after use of the extract, 26% showed no alterations, and an increasing in S. mutans was observed in 25%. Was performed with the Statistica for Windows 5.9 program using the Kruskal-Wallis test for analysis of variance and the Mann-Whitney U test, with the level of significance set at 5%. The propolis extract possesses in vivo antimicrobial activity against S. mutans present in the oral cavity and might be used as an alternative measure to prevent dental caries.
authors.affiliation: Dental School, UNICEUMA University, São Luís, MA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Silvana Alves de Carvalho
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Duailibe
authors.forename: Azizedite Guedes
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Fernando Jorge Mendes
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Ahid