Acquisition and transmission of mutans streptococci
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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Purification of a High Molecular Mass Protein in Streptococcus mutans
Published on: September 14, 2019
1University of Rochester Eastman Dental Center, Rochester, NY 14620, USA. Robert_Berkowitz@urmc.rochester.edu
Abstract:
Dental caries is an infectious and transmissible disease. The mutans streptococci and some Lactobacillus species are the two groups of infectious agents most strongly associated with dental caries. Earlier studies demonstrated that infants acquire mutans streptococci from their mothers and only after the eruption of primary teeth. More recent studies indicate that mutans streptococci can colonize the mouths of predentate infants and that horizontal, as well as vertical, transmission does occur. These findings will likely facilitate the development of clinical strategies to prevent or delay infant infection by these organisms, thereby reducing the prevalence of dental caries.
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