title: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus and Candida albicans in oral samples from caries-free and caries-active children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This was to examine the occurrence of S. mutans, S. sobrinus and C. albicans in dental plaque and saliva from caries-free and caries-active Greek children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Saliva and dental plaque samples from 46 caries-free and 51 caries-active 3-to-13-year-old children were examined using selective media for the three microbes. Identification of isolated mutans streptococci (S. mutans and S. sobrinus) was performed with biochemical test and specific DNA probes. The salivary levels of mutans streptococci were additionally determined by a chair-side test (Dentocult®SM strips).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The isolation frequencies of S. mutans, S. sobrinus and C. albicans were 66, 11 and 18 %, respectively. Caries-active children harboured more frequently and at significantly higher numbers the specific microbes than caries-free children. A similar pattern was observed with the Dentocult®SM strip scores. No correlation was found between the presence of these microbes and the age or gender of the children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caries experience was statistically significantly related to the presence of all three microbes under study, both in dental plaque and saliva.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. sfragkou@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fragkou
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balasouli
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tsuzukibashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Argyropoulou
authors.affiliation: Lab of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Menexes
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kotsanos
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology, Dental School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalfas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D015342:DNA Probes; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016986:Streptococcus sobrinus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes
keywords: C. albicans; Dental caries; Mutans streptococci