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Nested PCR for detection of mutans streptococci in dental plaque
Author(s) -
Sato T.,
Matsuyama J.,
Kumagai T.,
Mayanagi G.,
Yamaura M.,
Washio J.,
Takahashi N.
Publication year - 2003
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.2003.01359.x
Subject(s) - streptococcus sobrinus , streptococcus mutans , microbiology and biotechnology , 16s ribosomal rna , nested polymerase chain reaction , biology , dental plaque , ribosomal rna , polymerase chain reaction , gene , bacteria , genetics
Aims: Mutans streptococci such as Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus have been implicated in human dental caries. In an attempt to develop a rapid and sensitive method for detecting Strep. mutans and Strep. sobrinus in dental plaque, a nested PCR amplification based on the 16S rRNA gene was employed. Methods and Results: A universal set of PCR primers for bacterial 16S rRNA gene was introduced for the first PCR, and then two sets of primers specific for the 16S rRNA gene sequences of either Strep. mutans or Strep. sobrinus were used for the second PCR. Eighteen plaque samples were analyzed, and a nested PCR was shown to be more sensitive for detecting Strep. mutans and Strep. sobrinus than direct PCR. Conclusions, Significance and Impact of the Study: The 16S rRNA gene‐based nested PCR method is a rapid and sensitive method for the detection of mutans streptococci, and may also be suitable for carrying out large‐scale studies on the cariogenicity of mutans streptococci.