Antigenicity and immunogenicity of cell-associated glucans from Streptococcus mutans.

Abstract

Immunization with whole cell vaccines composed of Streptococcus mutans has been shown to exert protective effects against S. mutans induced dental caries in the rat (see review ref. 1) and in Macaca fascicularis monkeys (2). We have recently shown that monkeys immunized with whole cell vaccines of S. mutans strain 6715 produce salivary and serum antibodies to the immunizing organism. These animals are also protected from dental infection with the immunizing S. mutans strain (3,4). There is considerable in vitro evidence that antibodies directed to S. mutans are capable of inhibiting adherence of these organisms to smooth surfaces (5–9). Initial adherence to the tooth surface in vivo appears to be a necessary step in the colonization and subsequent carious attack of the tooth by S. mutans. It may follow therefore that antibodies which reduce adherence are of considerable importance in both natural and induced protection against dental caries.KeywordsHuman Serum AlbuminDental CariesRabbit AntiserumCell VaccineDental InfectionThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.