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New Actinomyces and Streptococcus coaggregation groups among human oral isolates from the same site
Infection and Immunity
|August 1, 1983
Summary
Oral bacteria, Streptococcus sanguis and Actinomyces, show specific coaggregation patterns. This suggests widespread cell-to-cell recognition occurs in the human mouth between these species, impacting oral health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Oral Biology
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Oral streptococci and actinomyces are key players in dental plaque formation.
- Understanding their interactions is crucial for comprehending oral ecosystem dynamics and health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine and compare the coaggregation properties of recent human oral streptococcal and actinomyces isolates.
- To investigate the specificity of these interactions in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of oral streptococcal and actinomyces strains from subgingival samples of healthy and periodontitis patients.
- Coaggregation assays using characterized stock strains and patient isolates.
- Lactose inhibition tests to characterize coaggregation patterns.
Main Results:
- Most actinomyces isolates coaggregated with Streptococcus sanguis strains, mirroring stock strain patterns.
- A novel Actinomyces coaggregation group (F) was identified, characterized by lactose-inhibitable coaggregation.
- A new, highly specific Streptococcus sanguis coaggregation pattern (group 6) was discovered, interacting only with specific Actinomyces naeslundii strains from the same site.
Conclusions:
- Nearly all fresh isolates of oral actinomyces and streptococci exhibit specific, nonrandom coaggregation patterns.
- These findings suggest extensive in vivo cell-to-cell recognition between oral actinomyces and streptococci.
- This recognition likely plays a significant role in the establishment and maintenance of oral microbial communities.