Distribution of mutans streptococci in families: a longitudinal study

The purpose of this study was 1) to investigate whether a group of children not colonized by mutans streptococci (MS) at the age of 3 years were colonized several years later, and 2) to study whether MS that appeared in the children were identical to those found in the parents. In a previous study no MS were found in 13 3-year-old first-born children. In 10 of these children pooled plaque samples were again collected after 5 years, and in the other 3 children after 2 years. Additionally, separate plaque samples were obtained from the children's first permanent molars when the teeth were present. Pooled samples were also obtained from all the parental pairs at follow-up and from three pairs at baseline. MS were isolated, and genotyping was done through DNA fingerprinting by restriction endonuclease analysis. In 10 children MS were still not found. Among the three children with detectable MS the DNA fingerprints of the bacteria were the same in one girl and her mother and in one boy and his father; in the other boy no similar pattern was found in either mother or father. None of the individuals in the 13 parental pairs showed identical genotypes of MS. The results indicate an opportunity to remain MS-negative if not colonized at the age of 3 years. The difficulty of being colonized with MS from the spouse is highlighted.