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Evaluation of co‐aggregation among Streptococcus mitis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis
Author(s) -
Nagayama M.,
Sato M.,
Yamaguchi R.,
Tokuda C.,
Takeuchi H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1046/j.1472-765x.2001.00964.x
Subject(s) - fusobacterium nucleatum , porphyromonas gingivalis , streptococcus mitis , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteroidaceae , chemistry , streptococcus sanguinis , streptococcus , bacteria , streptococcus mutans , biology , genetics
Aims: To develop a semi‐quantitative method for evaluating co‐aggregation reactions among three bacterial species, and to examine the influence of Fusobacterium nucleatum on the adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis . Methods and Results: The method involves coating hydroxyapatite (HAP) discs with streptococcal cells and treatment with radio‐labelled bacterial cell suspensions. The sensitivity of the method was estimated by comparison with a turbidometric co‐aggregation assay. Results from the two methods were in close agreement. Streptococcus mitis‐ coated HAP discs were immersed in a 3 H‐labelled Fus. nucleatum cell suspension and then a 14 C‐labelled P. gingivalis cell suspension. The discs were then pyrolysed to recover and quantify the released 3 H and 14 C radioactivity. The number of Fus. nucleatum cells on the discs increased with immersion time and this, in turn, resulted in elevated adherence of P. gingivalis . Conclusions: The data indicate that the method closely reflects co‐aggregation characters, and that Fus. nucleatum has a positive effect on the adherence of P . gingivalis.Significance and Impact of the Study: The present method, which is designed to mimic the oral environment, should prove useful in the semi‐quantitative evaluation of co‐aggregation reactions.