Identification of Scardovia Wiggsiae in Children Between Severe Early Childhood Caries and Caries-Free Children – A Polymerised Chain Reaction -Based Study

Abstract

Dental caries is the most common microbial disease of oral cavity, affecting 60 – 90% of children worldwide. Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a major health problem in developing countries. These lesions are destructive and can affect the development of permanent successors. Although Streptococcus mutans is the primary cause of ECC, some studies support the view that caries can develop in the absence of mutans streptococci. Scardovia wiggsiae, a gram-positive anaerobe was recently found to be associated with Early Childhood Caries in the presence and absence of Streptococcus mutans. The aims were to investigate the cariogenic potential of S. wiggsiae, in ECC. The study was intended to compare the presence of S. wiggsiae, in the saliva samples of caries-free children and children with severe ECC, thereby determine this new acidogenic species noxiousness as a pathogen in Early Childhood Caries.Saliva samples were collected from 40 children, age ranging between three to six years. The sample thus collected at room temperature was then subjected to DNA extraction and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis to evaluate the presence of S. wiggsiae. Numerical parameters were tested for significance using Fisher’s Exact Test and the statistical analysis using Epi Info software.The tested samples revealed almost equal proportion of Scardovia wiggsiae in caries-free group and severe ECC group. S. wiggsiae was isolated and detected in both the study and the control groups. Statistical significance was not pronounced claiming the falsehood of the association between Early childhood caries and Scardovia wiggsiae.