Influence of bacterial cell concentration and inorganic anions on lysis of Streptococcus mutans BHT by salivary lysozyme

The aim of this work was to study the influence of bacterial cell concentrations and inorganic anions on lysis of Streptococcus mutans BHT by human salivary lysozyme (HSL). HSL was partly purified from saliva by ion exchange chromatography. The bacteria were grown in a synthetic medium containing 3H-thymidine to monitor DNA release. The experiments demonstrated that release of 3H-thymidine was dependent on the bacterial cell concentration and an apparent Km-value corresponding to approximately 2.9 X 10(8) cells/ml was calculated. The influence of I-, Br-, Cl-, F-, HCO3- and SCN- on bacteriolysis was studied. All anions tested were slightly inhibitory on the action of HSL. The inhibition varied from 7 to 76% depending on the ion and ionic strength. The order of addition of HSL and sodium chloride caused different lytic responses. This was reflected by the amount of HSL adsorbed by the bacteria.     

Virulence factors of Streptococcus mutans and dental caries prevention

Streptococcus mutans possesses the abilities to adhere to pellicle-coated tooth surfaces and to form acids - two characteristics associated with the cariogenicity of this micro-organism. De novo synthesis of insoluble glucan by S. mutans glucosyltransferase from sucrose is essential in the adherence process. Therefore, agents which interfere with the adherence ability of S. mutans would be useful for controlling dental caries. In the present report, we have summarized our recent findings concerning virulence factors of S. mutans and means for prevention of S. mutans-induced dental caries.     

Severe oral hemorrhage and sepsis following bone marrow transplant failure

Aplastic anemia is a failure of all the cellular components of the bone marrow and, untreated, usually results in death from bleeding and/or infection within 4 months. Treatment by bone marrow transplantation offers the only means of survival. When a bone marrow graft fails, the patient is extremely susceptible to severe infection and/or hemorrhage. In this case, a bone marrow transplantation in a 34-year-old white man with aplastic anemia failed. Among the medical problems that subsequently developed were severe, prolonged and life-threatening oral bleeding and infection.     

Relationship of oral complications to peripheral blood leukocyte and platelet counts in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy.

Patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy often suffer from oral complications as a result of their disease and its treatment. The effects of the chemotherapy on the bone marrow and oral mucosa, coupled with the patient's immunosuppressed state and altered oral microbial flora, predispose these patients to oral mucositis, infection, and hemorrhage. The oral mucosa appears to mirror the effects of the chemotherapy on the bone marrow, as there appears to be a direct relationship between the changing peripheral blood counts and the status of the oral mucosa.     

A composite general anesthesia technique using ketamine for pediatric outpatients.

A study of 43 pediatric oral surgery patients was conducted in a clinical environment. The anesthetic regimen of a minimum dose of ketamine hydrochloride, nitrous oxide-oxygen, and a local anesthetic was tested for recovery time and degree of acceptance by parents and patients. With this regimen, the average recovery time from completion of the procedure was 30 minutes. The combination of these drugs provided a rapid, smooth induction, additional time while the ketamine-induced anesthesia was dissipating, no major complications, and good acceptance by parents and patients.