Isolation of alpha-streptococci with inhibitory activity against pathogens, in the oral cavity and the effect of tobacco and gargling on oral flora

Abstract

We investigated the distribution of oral alpha-streptococci with inhibitory activity against pathogens, which compose an oral defense mechanism. Detection rate of alpha-streptococci with inhibitory activity against S. pyogenes and S. aureus derived from the tonsil was higher than in other portions, the tongue, cheek, gingiva, or saliva. It has suggested that tonsillar bacterial flora are mainly a defense mechanism. The oral flora in healthy smokers was compared with healthy non-smokers to investigate the influence of tobacco on oral bacterial flora. The results showed that the detection rate of S. aureus in smokers was higher while that of alpha-streptococci with inhibitory activity against S. aureus was lower. However, the detection rate of alpha-streptococci with inhibitory activity against S. pyogenes in smokers was as high as in non-smokers. It is suggested that it was easy for S. aureus to adhere to the oral mucosa in smokers, and was considered to influence the strain which produces beta-lactamase for medical treatment. We investigated the influence of gargling on oral bacterial flora by comparing the amount of bacteria before and after gargling with popidine-iodine gargle and saline solution. It was shown that alpha-streptococci, a main component of normal oral flora were decreased after gargling in both smokers and non-smokers. Furthermore, it was shown that group A Streptococcus was not decreased after gargling, and it was concluded that use of gargle medicinal mouth wash in bacillus carriers should be studied further.