Effects of oral streptococci on biofilm formation by cariogenic bacteria in dual species cultures

The effects of oral commensal streptococci (Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus salivarius) on biofilm formation by cariogenic mutans streptococci (Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus) were investigated. Cell suspensions were cultured on 96-well microtiter plates coated with or without salivary components (SC), and in flow cell systems coated with SC in tryptic soy broth including 0.25% sucrose without dextrose (TSB). The resultant biofilm formations were stained using safranin or a LIVE/DEAD BacLight Viability Kit, and examined with absorbance at 492 nm or using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Mutans streptococci and S. sanguinis biofilms were formed significantly on the polystyrene surfaces in TSB. Further, in combination cultures, S. sanguinis formed a sufficient biofilm when cultured with S. mutans. However, when S. sanguinis was cultured with S. sobrinus, biofilm formation was slightly inhibited. S. gordonii also inhibited biofilm formation in the culture with S. sobrinus, but not when cultured with S. mutans. S. mitis and S. salivarius collapsed the biofilm morphology and inhibited volume development in some conditions when cultured with S. mutans or S. sobrinus. Biofilm formation by mutans streptococci was challenged and collapsed on the whole by culturing with each of the other oral streptococci. These results indicate that co-culturing of multiple species of mutans streptococci and other oral streptococci has physical effects related to previous attachment and colonization on the surface, as well as biological effects to regulate biofilm formation.     

Differences between single- and dual-species biofilms of Streptococcus mutans and Veillonella parvula in growth, acidogenicity and susceptibility to chlorhexidine

Streptococcus mutans, considered a primary pathogen in dental caries, thrives in dental plaque, which is a multispecies biofilm. Metabolic interactions between S. mutans and Veillonella parvula have been suggested. In this study we developed a biofilm model to quantify single-species (S. mutans or V. parvula) and dual-species (S. mutans and V. parvula) biofilm formation, and we identified the differences between the respective biofilms in terms of growth, acid formation, and response to chlorhexidine. Polystyrene 96-well microtiter plates were used for biofilm formation. These biofilms were exposed to various chlorhexidine concentrations (0.025-0.4 mg ml(-1)) and treatment conditions. Growth of the biofilms and the effects of chlorhexidine were evaluated by viable counts. Viability of the two species in all biofilm types was similar ( approximately 10(8) colony-forming units per well) after 72 h. Lactic acid accumulation of dual-species biofilms was significantly lower at 48 and 72 h than single-species biofilms of S. mutans. Dual-species biofilms were less susceptible to chlorhexidine than single-species biofilms when a neutralization step was included. These results indicate that bacteria in dual-species biofilms have different properties from bacteria in single-species biofilms.     

抗菌肽GH12对龋相关三菌种生物膜形貌及菌种构成的影响

目的研究抗菌肽GH12对龋相关三菌种生物膜结构、形貌以及菌种构成的影响。方法龋相关三菌种生物膜含有致龋菌变异链球菌(S. mutans)以及共生菌血链球菌(S. sanguinis)和格式链球菌(S. gordonii)。以未处理组作为对照组,GH12(2、4、8 mg·L-1)作为实验组。通过结晶紫染色、扫描电镜和荧光原位杂交观察生物膜形貌变化,定性分析菌种构成,继而使用选择培养计数法定量分析生物膜内的S. mutans占比。结果与对照组相比,GH12处理后的龋相关三菌种生物膜生物量减少,密度降低,结构更松散;S. mutans占比逐渐降低甚至无法检测,而S. gordonii和S. sanguinis占比逐渐增加,占据主导地位。结论 GH12可以降低龋相关三菌种生物膜中致龋菌占比,破坏其完整性,使其向更易清除的方向转换。     

The cariogenic characters of xylitol-resistant and xylitol-sensitive Streptococcus mutans in biofilm formation with salivary bacteria

Streptococcus mutans metabolize carbohydrates, such as glucose and sucrose, to produce acid and enhance biofilm formation with the early colonizing bacteria to induce dental caries. Xylitol has been used as a reliable substitute for carbohydrate to inhibit the acid production of S. mutans. However, long-term xylitol consumption leads to the emergence of xylitol-resistance in S. mutans. The aim of this study was to investigate the cariogenic trait of Xylitol-resistant (X(R)) S. mutans using biofilm formation and coaggregation of xylitol-sensitive (X(S)) and X(R) S. mutans with salivary bacteria and their glucosyltransferases expression. When X(S) or X(R) S. mutans were incubated in brain heart infusion broth with bacteria from human saliva, X(R)S. mutans exhibited reduction in biofilm formation in comparison to X(S) S. mutans. The coaggregation between X(R) S. mutans and S, gordonii, S. mitis, S. oralis or S. sanguinis was less pronounced than that of X(S) S. mutans in the presence of sucrose. However, there was no difference in the coaggregation between X(R) and X(S) S. mutans in the sucrose-free condition. The level of gtfB and gtfC mRNA expression of X(R) S. mutans was lower than that of X(S) S. mutans, whilst the level of gtfD mRNA expression did not differ between the two strains. The reduction of biofilm formation in X(S) S. mutans due to decrease in glucosyltransferases expression suggests that X(R) S. mutans may be less cariogenic than X(S) S. mutans.     

变形链球菌ComCDE密度感应参与不同菌种的竞争

目的 研究口腔变形链球菌( S.mutans )ComCDE密度感应系统参与血链球菌(S.sanguinis)的相互竞争作用.方法 采用LIVE\DEAD BacLightTM荧光染色结合激光共聚焦显微镜,观察变形链球菌(简称变链菌)在CSP信号肽诱导下群体细菌自身死亡变化;通过荧光定量反转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)测定细菌素以及细菌素免疫蛋白相关基因表达变化,分析变链菌ComCDE系统参与菌群生存竞争的调控机制.结果 在细菌竞争中,变形链球菌△comC、△comD 、△comE突变株失去不同菌种间的竞争力,无法抑制相邻Ssanguinis的正常生长;只有野生株保持竞争力,抑制相邻S.sanguinis生长,形成缺陷菌环.CSP信号肽诱导下,变链菌群体死菌/活菌率增高58.1％(P＜0.05);细菌素及免疫蛋白相关SMU.151、SMU.423、SMU.1913c基因分别升高23.3倍(P=0.00)、15.9倍(P＜0.05)、19.3倍(P＜0.05).结论 变形链球菌ComCDE密度感应系统调控变链菌的变链素及免疫蛋白产生、参与不同菌种间竞争生存.     

The effects of orthodontic bonding steps on biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans in the presence of saliva

Abstract Objective. To investigate the effects of various orthodontic bonding steps on biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans in the presence of saliva. Materials and methods: Hydroxyapatite (HA) and orthodontic adhesive (AD) disks were prepared to a uniform size. HA disks were etched with 37% phosphoric acid gel in the etched group (HE). In the primed group (HP), Transbond XT primer was applied to the etched HA surface and light-cured. For biofilm formation, Streptococcus mutans was grown on each specimen in a biofilm medium with either glucose or sucrose in the presence of fluid-phase UWS (F-UWS) or surface adsorbed saliva (S-UWS). The adherent bacteria were quantified by enumeration of the total viable counts of bacteria. Biofilms formed on each surface were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Results. When glucose was used, both F-UWS and S-UWS suppressed biofilm formation of S. mutans. Compared to HA and HE, biofilm formation was significantly inhibited on HP and AD in the presence of glucose. Biofilm-forming patterns that were inhibited by saliva were restored in a sucrose-containing medium. F-UWS promoted biofilm formation on HA and HE, while S-UWS significantly promoted biofilm formation on HP. S. mutans developed biofilm better on HA and HE than on AD when sucrose was used as the sole carbohydrate source. Conclusions. This study suggests that the biofilm development by S. mutans is significantly influenced by the orthodontic bonding procedure. Biofilm formation of S. mutans was inhibited on AD more than other surfaces, irrespective of the presence of saliva or a carbohydrate source.     

Influence of starvation and biofilm formation on acid resistance of Streptococcus mutans

The aim of this study was to investigate acid resistance induced by starvation or biofilm formation in Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175. The artificial biofilms were made on cover glasses, starved for 24 h and immersed in 0.1 M lactate buffer at pH 3.8 for 10 min. The biofilms were also exposed to 5% sucrose solution for 20 min to simulate acid shock produced by sucrose metabolism. Confocal laser scanning microscopy with fluorescein isothiocyanate staining measured the resultant minimum pH in biofilms. Live and dead organisms in biofilms were differentiated by confocal laser scanning microscopy with proidium iodide and SYTO9 staining. The same processes were used to treat planktonic organisms. The results showed that starved biofilms or planktonic cells showed significantly more viable bacteria after acid shock induced either by lactic acid or during sucrose consumption than non-starved biofilms or planktonic cells. In addition, biofilms showed greater resistance to acid shock induced by lactic acid than planktonic cells, whereas similar results were obtained where sucrose was used as a carbon source to reduce pH in biofilms and planktonic cells. Thus, it is suggested that starvation protects both biofilm and planktonic S. mutans from acid shock induced either by lactic acid or during sucrose consumption, while biofilm formation seemed to protect bacteria only from acid shock induced by pH 3.8 lactate buffer but not the acid shock of a slightly higher pH produced during sucrose consumption.     

Effect of Weissella cibaria isolates on the formation of Streptococcus mutans biofilm

The objective of this study was to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria able to inhibit the in vitro formation of Streptococcus mutans biofilm as well as the in vivo formation of oral biofilm. Two strains, CMS1 and CMS3, exhibiting profound inhibitory effects on the formation of S. mutans biofilm and the proliferation of S. mutans, were isolated from children's saliva and identified as Weissella cibaria by 16S rDNA sequencing. The water-soluble polymers produced from sucrose by the W. cibaria isolates also inhibited the formation of S. mutans biofilm. According to the results of thin-layer chromatographic analysis, the hydrolysates of water-soluble polymers produced by the isolates were identical to those of dextran, forming mostly alpha-(1-6) glucose linkages. In the clinical study, the subjects mouthrinsed with a solution containing W. cibaria CMS1 evidenced plaque index reduction of approximately 20.7% (p < 0.001). These results indicate that the W. cibaria isolates possess the ability to inhibit biofilm formation, both in vitro and in vivo.     

Photosensitization of in vitro biofilms by toluidine blue O combined with a light-emitting diode

In natural ecosystems, micro-organisms grow preferentially attached to surfaces, forming matrix-enclosed biofilms. The aim of this study was to determine photodestruction levels in biofilms after subjecting them to photodynamic therapy. Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans, S. sobrinus, and S. sanguinis were grown on enamel slabs for 3, 5 or 7 d. Both the number of viable micro-organisms and the concentration of water-insoluble polysaccharides were analysed, and mineral loss (DeltaZ) analyses were performed on the enamel slabs. The antimicrobial potential of toluidine blue O (0.1 mg ml(-1)), associated with 85.7 J cm(-2) of a light-emission diode, was evaluated on the viability of 5-d biofilms. Both the number of micro-organisms and the concentration of water-insoluble polysaccharide increased with the age of the biofilms. A significant reduction ( approximately 95%) in viability was observed for S. mutans and S. sobrinus biofilms following photosensitization, with a > 99.9% reduction in the viability of S. sanguinis biofilms. In conclusion, a biofilm model was shown to be suitable for studying changes in bacterial numbers and enamel mineralization and for demonstrating the potential value of photosensitization in the control of in vitro biofilms.     

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis colonization correlated with caries experience in children

The aim of this study was to examine the colonization of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis in the oral cavity and the association with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). Saliva and plaque samples were collected from 14 S-ECC children and 8 caries-free (CF) children. All S-ECC children were S. mutans positive; 100% of CF children and 93% of S-ECC children were S. sanguinis positive. The children's caries severity was positively correlated with levels of S. mutans (p < 0.001), total oral streptococci (p < 0.01), total cultivable oral bacteria (p < 0.05), and children's age (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the interaction of S. sanguinis with S. mutans was a significant factor associated with the caries status in children, suggesting that the relative levels of these two microorganisms in the oral cavity play an important role in caries development.     

Involvement of antigen I/II surface proteins in Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus intermedius biofilm formation

BACKGROUND/AIM: Dental diseases are caused by microorganisms organized in biofilms. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus intermedius are commensals of the human oral cavity. S. mutans is associated with caries, whereas S. intermedius is associated with purulent infections. Oral streptococci including S. mutants and S. intermedius express a family of surface proteins termed antigen I/II (Ag I/II). Ag I/II is implicated in adhesion; however, its role in biofilm formation has not yet been investigated. METHODS: By using isogenic Ag I/II-deficient mutants of S. mutans and S. intermedius we studied the influence of Ag I/II on in vitro biofilm formation. Biofilm was quantified in polystyrene microtiter plates and visualized by scanning electron microscopy. Ag I/II expression in planktonic and biofilm cells, as well as in the presence or absence of saliva was investigated by immunoblotting. RESULTS: In the presence of saliva, the Ag I/II-deficient mutants formed 65% less biofilm than the wild-types. In the absence of saliva, no difference was observed in S. mutans, whereas the S. intermedius Ag I/II mutant formed 41% less biofilm. Ag I/II expression was reduced in the presence of saliva. No differences in expression were observed between biofilm and planktonic cells. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that Ag I/II may be important during biofilm formation particularly in the presence of saliva. These findings may provide useful information regarding the importance of Ag I/II in biofilm formation and in the search of new strategies to control biofilm-mediated infections.     

Oral Streptococcus species in pre-term and full-term children – a longitudinal study

Background.  Despite high clinical significance, the microbiology of the dental biofilm in young children remains poorly understood.
Aim.  The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate five Streptoccocus species commonly found in the oral biofilm of children, namely Streptococcus mutans , Streptococcus sobrinus , Streptococcus mitis , Streptococcus sanguinis , and Streptococcus salivarius to determine their relative numbers in caries-free pre-term children, and age-matched full-term controls.
Design.  Plaque and saliva samples were obtained from 15 pre-term children and 15 age-matched controls at ages 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. A quantitative real-time PCR technique was used to determine the numbers of five species of Streptococcus using probes and primers specific for each bacterial species.
Results.  All species of Streptococcus generally increased from ages 3 to 24 months. The relative ratios of the bacteria remained fairly constant at all ages studied ( P  > 0.1). There were no significant differences in numbers of all Streptococcus species between pre-term children and full-term controls at all the ages investigated between.
Conclusion.  The results show that the relative numbers of S. mutans , S. sobrinus , S. mitis , S. sanguinis , and S. salivarius remain relatively constant from 3 to 24 months of age in caries-free pre- and full-term children.     

不同pH对变异链球菌体外生物膜形成的影响

目的：了解变异链球菌临床株体外生物膜形成规律以及不同pH对生物膜形成的影响。方法：采用微孔板培养,染色、分光光度测定法（A630）绘制体外不同pH条件下（pH=7.0～5.0）593号、18号菌株以及变异链球菌标准株（ATCC25175）的生物膜生长曲线。结果：体外变异链球菌各株在pH=5.0时均不能形成生物膜;pH=7.0时细菌生物膜形成表现为缓慢的非线性生长,12～24h生物膜开始成熟,24～36h出现一相对的生长停滞期;pH=5.0时对已形成12h的变链菌生物膜生长有明显的抑制作用,但经历12h的酸休克后各菌株的生物膜均能恢复生长。结论：变异链球菌在体外pH=7.0时于12～24h形成稳定的生物膜,该生物膜能抵抗一定程度的酸（pH=5.0）攻击,而浮游状态的细菌则不能。     

变异链球菌LuxS基因缺陷突变株的构建及其生物膜结构的初步观察研究

目的:通过同源重组法构建变异链球菌LuxS基因缺陷突变菌株,比较其与变异链球菌UA159标准株在生物膜形成上的差异。方法:运用基因同源重组方法将氯霉素抗性基因(Cmr)与LuxS基因上下游区域的2个基因片段按一定顺序重组到PUC载体的多克隆位点中,构建出带氯霉素抗性标志的重组质粒,将载体质粒转化到含完整LuxS基因的变异链球菌UA159中,利用氯霉素抗性筛选出LuxS基因缺陷的突变株,并利用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)和哈氏弧菌发光实验进行检测。以釉质磨片为载体,在扫描电镜下观察上述两菌株含有20 g/L葡萄糖、20 g/L蔗糖的乳酪消化胨酵母(TPY)液体培养基中形成24 h的生物膜。结果:PCR基因扩增结果显示:突变株LuxS基因已被Cmr基因完全替换,成功的构建了变异链球菌LuxS基因突变株,并且突变株不能诱导哈氏弧菌BB170的生物发光。当用葡萄糖作为补充糖源时,变异链球菌UA159标准株和LuxS基因突变株所形成的生物膜表现型未见明显差异;而用蔗糖作为补充糖源时,两菌株所形成的生物膜有明显不同,UA159生物膜相对平滑均质,而LuxS基因突变株生物膜呈松散的蜂房状,基质间有较大的间隙,形成较大的团簇状菌落。结论:成功构建出LuxS基因缺陷的变异链球菌突变株,与变异链球菌UA159标准株其生物膜结构发生改变,提示LuxS会影响变异链球菌生物膜的形成。     

粪肠球菌和变异链球菌脂磷壁酸的生物学活性

粪肠球菌是难治性根尖周炎根管内的主要致病菌。变异链球菌是引起龋齿的主要致病菌。粪肠球菌和变异链球菌的毒力因子脂磷壁酸（LTA）皆可促进细胞分泌炎症因子,引发炎症反应,促进根尖周牙槽骨吸收;有助于细菌黏附于牙体表面和生物膜的形成。粪肠球菌和变异链球菌LTA在细菌致病性方面起着重要的作用,但其机制尚不清楚。因此,研究LTA的致病机制及分子结构,旨在实现阻断其致病通路、降低其致病性。     

Transient acid-impairment of growth ability of oral Streptococcus, Actinomyces, and Lactobacillus: a possible ecological determinant in dental plaque

Introduction:  Dental plaque pH decreases to about 4 through bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates and this low pH is maintained for from several minutes to about an hour. Repeated acidification causes demineralization of the tooth surface, resulting in caries formation. The acidification also influences plaque bacteria. Severe acidification kills bacteria efficiently, while physiological acidification, the condition occurring in plaque, kills bacteria partially and may impair growth ability. We, therefore, investigated the effects of physiological acidification on representative caries-related bacteria.
Methods:  Streptococcus mutans , Streptococcus sobrinus , Streptococcus sanguinis , Streptococcus oralis , Lactobacillus paracasei , and Actinomyces naeslundii were used. Effects of physiological acidification at pH 4.0 on cell viability and growth ability, as well as the growth rate of these bacteria at pH 4.0–7.0, were investigated.
Results:  Mutans streptococci and Lactobacillus grew at pH 4.0 but the growth of S. sanguinis and S. oralis ceased below pH 4.2 and pH 4.2–4.4, respectively. Acidification at pH 4.0 for 1 h killed 43–89%, 45% and 35–76% of S. sanguinis , S. oralis , and Actinomyces , respectively. Furthermore, assessment of bacterial growth curves revealed that the growth ability of the surviving cells of S. sanguinis , S. oralis and Actinomyces was impaired, but it was recovered within 2–5 h after the environmental pH had returned to 7.0. The acidification neither killed nor impaired the growth of mutans streptococci and Lactobacillus .
Conclusions:  These results indicate that physiological and transient acidification is not sufficient to kill bacteria, but it causes a temporary acid-impairment of their growth ability, which may function as an ecological determinant for microbial composition in dental plaque.     

高温需要A蛋白与口腔变异链球菌的致龋性

变异链球菌是龋齿的主要致病菌,细菌表面多糖合成物、对牙面的黏附聚集、生物膜形成是其重要的生理学致病因子.高温需要(Htr)A是一种细菌细胞质的热休克蛋白,对于细菌耐受环境变化,特别是温度的增高,pH值和氧化还原电势的变化有重要的意义.下面就HtrA与变异链球菌致病因子相关的研究进行综述.     

The antibacterial activity of plant extracts containing polyphenols against Streptococcus mutans

The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of commercially available and 70% aqueous propanone (P70) extracts from plants chosen for polyphenol content on Streptococcus mutans and other bacteria were determined using a standard susceptibility agar dilution technique to investigate their potential use as anticariogenic agents. The effects on adhesion of S. mutans to glass were also studied. The lowest MICs were for the P70 extracts of red grape skin (0.5 mg ml(-1)) and green tea and sloe berry skin (2 mg ml(-1)). The commercial extracts generally had a lower activity with a minimum MIC of 2 mg ml(-1) for tea extracts, grape seed extracts and Pynogenol (extract of maritime pine). All other extracts had MICs of > or = 4 mg ml(-1). Unfermented cocoa had greater antimicrobial activity than fermented cocoa and the activity of the fractionated extract increased with the extent of epicatechin polymerization. Epicatechin polymer had an MIC of 1 mg ml(-1) and an MBC of 64 mg ml(-1). Selected extracts were tested against other oral bacteria and showed activity against gram-positive organisms. P70 extracts of unfermented cocoa, epicatechin polymer fraction, green tea and red grape seed were bacteriostatic and prevented acid production when added at the MIC to cultures of S. mutans grown in a chemically defined medium supplemented with either glucose or sucrose. There was a reduction in viability which was greater when added to washed cells, but there were some viable cells after 24 h. The extracts also reduced adherence of S. mutans to glass.     

氟磷灰石晶体膜对变异链球菌早期粘附和生物膜形成的作用

目的:研究牙本质表面再生氟磷灰石晶体膜(Fluorapatite crystal film,FACF)对变异链球菌(S.mutans)早期粘附和生物膜形成的作用.方法:近生理条件下(37℃,1 atm,pH 6.0～7.4),在牙本质表面沉积FACF,并将牙本质、羟基磷灰石(hydroxyapatite,HA)和氟磷灰...