Influence of Streptococcus mutans on Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation.
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.
Deng
Dong Mei
DM
Department of Cariology Endodontology Pedodontology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Universiteit van Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d.deng@acta.nl
Hoogenkamp
Michel A
MA
Exterkate
Rob A M
RA
Jiang
Lei Meng
LM
van der Sluis
Lucas W M
LW
Ten Cate
Jacob M
JM
Crielaard
Wim
W
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
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D037521:Virulence Factors