title: Influence of Streptococcus mutans on Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An important virulence factor of Enterococcus faecalis is its ability to form biofilms. Most studies on biofilm formation have been carried out by using E. faecalis monocultures. Given the polymicrobial nature of root canal infections, it is important to understand biofilm formation of E. faecalis in the presence of other microorganisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight clinical strains of E. faecalis were tested for biofilm formation on hydroxyapatite disks in the presence and absence of a Streptococcus mutans biofilm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly more E. faecalis viable cells were found in biofilms in the presence of S. mutans. This phenomenon was, however, strain-dependent. Of the 8 strains tested, biofilm formation of strains AA-OR34, ER5/1, and V583 was not influenced by S. mutans biofilms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results from this study, especially the strain difference, underline the importance of studying biofilm formation in a more realistic multispecies setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cariology Endodontology Pedodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Universiteit van Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d.deng@acta.nl
authors.forename: Dong Mei
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Michel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hoogenkamp
authors.forename: Rob A M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Exterkate
authors.forename: Lei Meng
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Lucas W M
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: van der Sluis
authors.forename: Jacob M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ten Cate
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Crielaard
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013045:Species Specificity; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000502:physiology*; D037521:Virulence Factors
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D037521:Virulence Factors