title: Metal-ion susceptibility of oral bacterial species.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the effect of lead (Pb) on growth of bacterial species related to dental diseases in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The effects of lead acetate on representative species of the oral flora were examined at 0.1-10 mmol l(-1) and compared with the effect of silver nitrate and ferrous sulfate. The minimal inhibitory concentration of lead acetate was between 0.15 and 5 mmol l(-1) for the bacterial strains tested. The minimal bactericidal concentration of lead acetate for most oral species was detected in the range of 5-10 mmol l(-1). Silver nitrate at a concentration of 1.25 mmol l(-1) was sufficient to exhibit antibacterial activity against almost all bacteria tested. Ferrous sulfate had the lowest effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study indicated a general antimicrobial effect of lead on oral bacterial species in the range of 0.15-10 mmol l(-1). The toxicity of silver nitrate was the highest, whereas that of ferrous sulfate was the lowest. Gram-positive species had a tendency to be less susceptible for metals than Gram-negatives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows that it is possible that microbiological changes may occur in the dental plaque in children because of toxic exposure of environmental lead.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla, Thailand. nattaporn.p@psu.ac.th
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Youravong
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carlen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teanpaisan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dahlén
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity*; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D012835:Silver Nitrate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014070:Tooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D008670:Metals; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D007854:Lead; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D012835:Silver Nitrate; C008261:lead acetate