title: Comparative in vitro investigation of the cariogenic potential of bifidobacteria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the in vitro cariogenic potential of some Bifidobacterium species in comparison with caries-associated bacteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium dentium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Actinomyces israelii, Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus mutans were tested for acidogenicity and aciduricity by measuring the pH of the cultures after growth in glucose and bacterial growth after exposure to acid solutions. Biofilm biomass was determined for each species either alone or associated with S. mutans or S. mutans/S. sobrinus. Enamel hardness was analyzed before and after 7-days biofilm formation using bacterial combinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  B. animalis and B. longum were the most acidogenic and aciduric strains, comparable to caries-associated bacteria, such as S. mutans and L. casei. All species had a significantly increased biofilm when combined either with S. mutans or with S. mutans/S. sobrinus. The greatest enamel surface loss was produced when B. longum or B. animalis were inoculated with S. mutans, similar to L. casei and S. sobrinus. All strains induced similar enamel demineralization when combined with S. mutans/S. sobrinus, except by B. lactis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ability to produce acidic environments and to enhance biofilm formation leading to increased demineralization may mean that Bifidobacterium species, especially B. animalis and B. longum, are potentially cariogenic.
authors.affiliation: UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Araçatuba Dental School, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health, Rua José Bonifácio, 1193, 16015050, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Remberto Marcelo Argandoña
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Valdez
authors.affiliation: UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Araçatuba Dental School, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health, Rua José Bonifácio, 1193, 16015050, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vanessa Rodrigues
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Araçatuba Dental School, Department of Restorative Dentistry, Rua José Bonifácio, 1193, 16015050, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karina Sampaio
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Caiaffa
authors.affiliation: UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Araçatuba Dental School, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health, Rua José Bonifácio, 1193, 16015050, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Danelon
authors.affiliation: UFRGS - Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2492, Bairro Santa Cecília, 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo Alex
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.affiliation: UFRGS - Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Conservative Dentistry, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2492, Bairro Santa Cecília, 90035-003, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thais de Cássia
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Negrini
authors.affiliation: UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Araçatuba Dental School, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health, Rua José Bonifácio, 1193, 16015050, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alberto Carlos Botazzo
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Delbem
authors.affiliation: UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Araçatuba Dental School, Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health, Rua José Bonifácio, 1193, 16015050, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: cristianeduque@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Cristiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duque
mesh_terms: D000190:Actinomyces / Q000472:pathogenicity; D000818:Animals; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D018441:Biofilms; D018533:Biomass; D002417:Cattle; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007180:Incisor; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D017001:Tooth Demineralization / Q000382:microbiology*; D037521:Virulence Factors
chemical_list: D037521:Virulence Factors
keywords: Actinomyces; Bifidobacterium; Biofilms; Dental caries; Lactobacillus; Streptococcus