Open AccessEffect of specific antisera upon Streptococcus mutans adherence to saliva‐coated hydroxylapatite
Author(s) -
Douglas C.W.I.,
Russell R.R.B.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1984.tb01458.x
Subject(s) - streptococcus mutans , saliva , hydroxylapatite , antiserum , antibody , microbiology and biotechnology , antigen , chemistry , agglutination (biology) , biology , bacteria , immunology , biochemistry , enzyme , genetics
IgG fractions of antisera against Streptococcus mutans cell‐surface protein antigens A and B were used to examine the role of these molecules in adherence to saliva‐coated hydroxylapatite. Anti‐B antibody inhibited S. mutans adherence by 20–50% depending upon the strain used, while anti‐A antibody was without effect. Some IgG‐mediated agglutination of cells occurred in the course of these experiments which was overcome by using Fab fragments prepared from the anti‐A and anti‐B IgG's. Anti‐B Fab inhibited S. mutans adherence by 50% but anti‐A Fab had no effect. These observations suggest that antigen B is an important factor in the adherence of S. mutans to saliva‐coated hydroxylapatite.