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Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction for Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in dental plaque samples and its association with early childhood caries
Author(s) -
CHOI EUNJUNG,
LEE SUNGHOON,
KIM YOUNGJAE
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
international journal of paediatric dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.183
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1365-263X
pISSN - 0960-7439
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-263x.2008.00942.x
Subject(s) - streptococcus sobrinus , streptococcus mutans , early childhood caries , medicine , dental plaque , polymerase chain reaction , microbiology and biotechnology , real time polymerase chain reaction , dentistry , bacteria , biology , oral health , gene , genetics
Background. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are closely associated with the development of early childhood caries (ECC). Recently, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) has been used for rapid and accurate quantification of these bacterial species. Aim. This study aims to detect quantitatively the levels of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in plaque samples by qRT‐PCR, and to assess their association with the prevalence of ECC in Korean preschool children. Design. One hundred and five children (71 months old or younger) were examined and classified into three groups (caries‐free, ECC, severe ECC). Dental plaque samples were collected and qRT‐PCR was conducted using oligonucleotide primers specific for glucosyltransferase gene ( S. mutans‐gtfB , S. sobrinus‐gtfU ) and universal primer. Pearson's correlation test was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the dmfs (decayed, missing, or filled surfaces primary teeth) scores and the microbiological findings. Results. There was a significant difference between the levels of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in the plaque samples of the three groups ( P < 0.05). The proportion of S. sobrinus to S. mutans showed strong correlation to the dmfs scores ( r = 0.748, P < 0.05). Conclusions. The qRT‐PCR results of this study showed that children with ECC had higher level of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in their dental plaque samples. The children with higher ratio of S. sobrinus to S. mutans in their dental plaque showed higher incidence of ECC.