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Interspecies Interactions Between Streptococcus Mutans and Streptococcus Agalactiae in vitro.
Tingjun Liu1,2, Jia Liu1,2, Jianwei Liu1,2
1Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|August 1, 2020
Summary
Streptococcus mutans promotes oral colonization by Streptococcus agalactiae, a bacterium typically found elsewhere. This co-adherence increases the risk of oral infections by integrating GBS into the oral microbiome.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Oral Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Streptococcus mutans is a key early colonizer of the oral cavity, linked to dental caries.
- S. mutans facilitates colonization by other species through interspecies coaggregation, influencing polymicrobial pathogenesis.
- Known S. mutans partners include Candida albicans and Fusobacterium nucleatum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate novel intergeneric co-adherence between S. mutans and Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS).
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which S. mutans promotes GBS oral colonization.
- To assess the implications of this interaction for oral health and infection risk.
Main Methods:
- Investigated co-adherence between S. mutans and a saliva isolate of Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS-SI101).
- Analyzed the role of S. mutans extracellular polysaccharide synthesis enzymes (GtfB and GtfC) in coaggregation.
- Assessed the growth inhibition of GBS-SI101 by other oral streptococci.
Main Results:
- A new intergeneric co-adherence was discovered between S. mutans and GBS-SI101.
- S. mutans enzymes GtfB and GtfC were identified as key promoters of S. mutans-GBS coaggregation.
- Oral streptococci showed minimal inhibition of GBS-SI101 growth.
Conclusions:
- S. mutans facilitates the integration of GBS into the oral polymicrobial community.
- This interaction may establish GBS as a resident oral species, elevating oral infection risk.
- The findings highlight a novel pathway for GBS colonization and potential pathogenicity in the oral cavity.
