Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Lactobacillus species in an American Indian population displaying a high incidence of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) and to explore the genotypic diversity and fidelity of transmission of S. sobrinus in this population.Methods: We report here on the microbial profiles of 71 children compiled from birth to 36 months of age and initial exploration of genotypic diversity in a subset of 40 mother/child dyads. Whole mouth plaque samples were collected from mother/child dyads in a Northern Plains American Indian cohort. Mutans streptococci (MS) and Lactobacillus counts were recorded and presence/absence of S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and Lactobacillus was noted for each child. S. sobrinus was isolated and genotyped via arbitrarily primed-polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR).Results: The children in this study were divided into caries active (CA) and caries free (CF) groups. S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and Lactobacillus species were detected more frequently in CA groups. Distribution of MS and Lactobacillus counts was significantly different between the two groups, as was the distribution of three species colonization profiles. Twelve S. sobrinus genotypes were detected in the subset of mother/child dyads. Individual participants displayed a range of 0–3 distinct genotypes while mother/child pairs displayed a range of 1–5 genotypes. Eighty-three percent of children shared at least one genotype with his/her mother.Conclusion: Caries active children in this population display different microbial profiles than the caries free children in this cohort. A small number of S. sobrinus genotypes appear to be very common in this population. A high rate of vertical transmission of S. sobrinus from mother to child is seen in these mother/child dyads.
Highlights
MATERIALS AND METHODSEarly childhood caries (ECC) remains a prevalent oral health challenge, despite efforts to establish successful preventive measures
Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Lactobacillus species in an American Indian population displaying a high incidence of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC)
The children in this study were divided into caries active (CA) and caries free (CF) groups
Summary
Childhood caries (ECC) remains a prevalent oral health challenge, despite efforts to establish successful preventive measures. A disproportionate amount of disease burden falls on low-income children and those from specific racial and ethnic groups. Among 2–5 year old children in the United States, the highest level of tooth decay is reported in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children [1]. Despite implementation of multiple preventive strategies that have been successful in other populations, very little progress has been made in decreasing the rate and severity of dental decay seen in this population Published findings from the same cohort reported suggest that disease progression begins very early in these children. At 16 months of age, 61% present with precavitated or decayed, missing, or filled (dmf) lesions. By 36 months of age, the rate of children with cavitated lesions increased to
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