Presence of Streptococcus mutans strains harbouring the cnm gene correlates with dental caries status and IgA nephropathy conditions.
Streptococcus mutans is a major pathogen of human dental caries. Strains harbouring the cnm gene, which encodes Cnm, a collagen-binding protein, contribute to the development of several systemic diseases. In this study, we analysed S. mutans strains isolated from the oral cavity of immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy (IgAN) patients to determine potential relationships between cnm and caries status as well as IgAN conditions. Saliva specimens were collected from 109 IgAN patients and the cnm status of isolated S. mutans strains was determined using PCR. In addition, the dental caries status (decayed, missing or filled teeth [DMFT] index) in patients who agreed to dental consultation (n = 49) was evaluated. The DMFT index and urinary protein levels in the cnm-positive group were significantly higher than those in the cnm-negative group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the urinary protein levels in the high DMFT (≥15) group were significantly higher than those in the low DMFT (<15) group (p < 0.05). Our results show that isolation of cnm-positive S. mutans strains from the oral cavity may be associated with urinary protein levels in IgAN patients, especially those with a high dental caries status.
Division of Nephrology, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 430-8558, Japan.
Taro
T
Misaki
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Oral Infection and Disease Control, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Shuhei
S
Naka
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Oral Infection and Disease Control, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Rina
R
Hatakeyama
Division of Dentistry, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan.
Akiko
A
Fukunaga
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Oral Infection and Disease Control, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Ryota
R
Nomura
Division of Nephrology, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 430-8558, Japan.
Taisuke
T
Isozaki
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Oral Infection and Disease Control, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Kazuhiko
K
Nakano
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C488758:Cnm protein, Streptococcus mutans; D003404:Creatinine