Premium
Isolation of bacteriophages from the oral cavity
Author(s) -
Hitch G.,
Pratten J.,
Taylor P.W.
Publication year - 2004
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 - 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2004.01565.x
Subject(s) - library science , pharmacy , isolation (microbiology) , medicine , history , family medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , computer science
Aims: To isolate bacteriophages lytic for oral pathogens from human saliva, dental plaque and mature biofilms constituted from saliva‐derived bacteria. Methods and Results: Saliva and dental plaque samples from healthy volunteers and from patients with gingivitis and periodontitis were examined for the presence of lytic bacteriophage using a panel of oral pathogens and bacteria isolated from the samples. Samples were also enriched for bacteriophage using static culture techniques and mature biofilms. A limited number of samples contained bacteriophage particles that were visualized using electron microscopy. Cultures yielded phage infecting non‐oral bacteria ( Proteus mirabilis ) but no bacteriophage specific for recognized oral pathogens were found. Some micro‐organisms from the oral microflora elaborated antibacterial substances that inhibited growth of other residents of the oral cavity. Conclusions: Unlike other ecosystems, the composition of the oral cavity does not appear to be heavily influenced by interactions between bacteriophages and their hosts. Significance and Impact of the Study: Bacteriophage for control of oral infections may need to be obtained from other sources. Antibacterial substances derived from some members of the oral microflora warrant investigation as potential antibiotics.