Abstract
Our study focuses on the antimicrobial susceptibility, genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity, and serotype classification of the Streptococcus mutans isolated from type II diabetic patients (n = 25; age 42–68). Eighty-two percent of isolates were classified as serotype c. No serotype k was present. Macrorestriction analysis of genomic DNA of the isolates exhibited a clonal diversity that paralleled the phenotypic heterogeneity, which was also assessed in terms of biofilm forming ability. Isolates were susceptible to all the classes of antibiotics. In conclusion a great heterogeneity and no antimicrobial resistance were apparent in the considered S. mutans strains from diabetic patients.
Highlights
Dental caries is a major public health concern imposing an economic impact among developed countries
We have focused on the antimicrobial susceptibility as well as genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity of S. mutans isolates from type II diabetic patients aged >40 and bring the importance of such studies from patients with metabolic disorders to the forefront
The DMF index is a key measure of the caries experience in dental epidemiology
Summary
Dental caries is a major public health concern imposing an economic impact among developed countries. Predisposition of diabetic patients to dental caries may result as sequelae of poor glycemic control, due to high levels of glucose in saliva in conjunction with xerostomia, a strong association has not been found hitherto (King et al 1998; Ship 2003; Taylor 2004). Streptococcus mutans, one of the main causative agents of caries (Loesche 1986), is a commensal inhabitant of the tooth surface, participating in the formation of a complex multispecies microbial community (i.e. a biofilm) called dental plaque (Kuramitsu et al.2007). It adheres to the pellicle of tooth enamel surface through adhesins (AgI/II) or extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) formed by glucosyltransferases (GtfB, GtfC, and GtfD) in presence of sucrose (Krzyściak et al 2014).
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