spaP gene of Streptococcus mutans in dental plaque and its relationship with Early Childhood Caries

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ABSTRACT

Aim

Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are the main pathogens associated with the development
of dental caries in humans. Recently, the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR-TR) has been used for fast and exact
quantification of these bacteria species. This molecular biology method has made the detection of these bacteria in saliva
and dental plaque possible; additionally, it aids the development of illness risk prediction. The purpose of this prospective,
analytic, transversal, observational and unicenter study was to quantify the spaP gene of the Streptococcus mutans and its
correlation with caries in a group of children using isolated DNA from plaque samples processed through qPCR-TR, using
specific oligonucleotides for this gene detection.

Methods

The cariogenic potential of Streptococcus
mutans in the dental plaque was analysed in a group of patients aged 12 to 46 months. A descriptive statistical analysis was
performed. The Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to establish the correlation between caries (dmft) index
(decayed/missing/filled primary teeth), spaP gene and age group. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare MSB cultivation
technique and qPCR-TR.

Results

In the molecular trials, a close association between caries prevalence in childhood and
the presence and high proportion of the spaP gene of S. mutans was found. The average caries prevalence was 3.71, and it
increased as age range increased. The highest caries prevalence was observed in female patients and in the oldest age
range studied (40 46 months) which contrasts with the 12-18 months age that had a caries (dmft) index of zero. The
amplification using as initiator the gene spaP of the nucleic acids extracted from the S. mutans resulted positive in
91.3 of the cases. Every child with caries was positive for the spaP and only 8.75 were negative, this group
included children without caries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there was a correlation with infant caries prevalence and S.
mutans.

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