Abstract
The effect of immunisation with cells of Streptococcus mutans on the development of caries in the first permanent molar teeth was studied in rhesus monkeys. The molars erupted into a cariogenic environment of a human type of diet containing 15 per cent sucrose. Immunisation elicited serum fluorescent IgG antibody titres of mean log 2 6.5 (± SE 0.9) and IgM titres of 3.2 (± 0.8), with the corresponding titres in the controls of 0.4 (± 0.27) and 0.3 (± 0.2). There was little difference in the salivary haemagglutinating IgA antibody titres in the immunised compared with control monkeys. A significant decreased incidence in fissure and smooth surface caries was found in the first permanent molars of the immunised monkeys over a period of 1 1 2 yr . The reduction in caries was associated with a reduction in the number of colony-forming units of Strep. mutans in the fissures of the first permanent molars, similar to that in the deciduous dentition.
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