8/2/2019 Microbiological Reviews

1/3

MICROBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, June 1980, p. 331-384 Vol. 44, No. 2

0146-0749/80/02-0331/54$02.00/0

Biology, Immunology, and Cariogenicity

of Streptococcus

mutanstSHIGEYUKI HAMADAt AND HUTTON D. SLADE*

Department of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, University of Colorado

Health Sciences Center, Denver,

Colorado 80262

SUMMARY

It is likely that S. mutans is the primary cariogenic

bacterium in both humans and animals. Other bacteria found in actively progressive carious

lesions are considered

to be secondary invaders, probably commensal

with S. mutans with regard to their physiological

activities. Only a limited number of species of bacteria

other than S. mutans are occasionally found to be

cariogenic in experimental animals.

Virulence factors of S. mutans responsible for its

cariogenicity include the ability to adhere to smooth

surfaces and acidogenic-aciduric properties. Adherence

to smooth tooth surfaces is responsible for cariogenic

plaque formation by S. mutans and is mediated

by the de novo synthesis of a glucose polymer from

dietary sucrose. The synthesis is due to the action of

cell-free or cell-associated forms of GTases. This explains

the marked caries-inducing property of sucrose

8/2/2019 Microbiological Reviews

2/3

in diets.

In terms of bacterial taxonomy, the species S. mutans

includes a number of heterogeneous strains. Various

immunological, biological, and biochemical properties

and the epidemiological distribution of S. mutans

have been discussed in this review with special

reference to the seven serotypes of the microorganism.

The occurrence of S. mutans in subacute endocarditis

and the possibilities of a vaccine against dental caries

have also been discussed.

RESUMEN

Es probable que S. mutans es el principal cariognicos

bacteria en los seres humanos y animales. Otras bacterias que se encuentran en las

lesiones de caries activa progresiva se consideran

ser invasores secundarios, probablemente comensalescon S. mutans en relacin con su fisiolgicos

las actividades. Slo un nmero limitado de especies de bacterias

S. mutans que no se encuentran ocasionalmente se

cariognicos en animales de experimentacin.

Factores de virulencia de S. mutans responsable de su

cariogenicidad incluyen la capacidad de adherirse a la suave

superficies y propiedades acidognica-acidricos. La adhesin

para alisar superficies de los dientes es responsable de cariognicos

la formacin de placas de S. mutans y est mediada

por la sntesis de novo de un polmero de glucosa a partir de

sacarosa diettica. La sntesis se debe a la accin de

las formas libres de clulas o relacionados con las clulas de GTases. Esto explica

la propiedad marcada caries inductores de sacarosa

en las dietas.

En trminos de la taxonoma bacteriana, la especie S. mutans

incluye una serie de cepas heterogneas. Varios

8/2/2019 Microbiological Reviews

3/3

propiedades inmunolgicas, biolgicas y bioqumicas

y la distribucin epidemiolgica de S. mutans

se han discutido en esta revisin con especial

referencia a los siete serotipos del microorganismo.

La presencia de S. mutans en la endocarditis subaguday las posibilidades de una vacuna contra la caries dental

Tambin se han discutido.

http://mmbr.asm.org/cgi/reprint/44/2/331.pdf