Streptococcus mutans serotypes and Collagen-Binding Proteins Cnm/Cbm in Children with Caries analyzed by PCR.

Streptococcus mutans, a primary bacterium associated with dental caries, has four known clinical serotypes (c, e, f, and k). Some serotypes, presence of multiple serotypes and strains with collagen-binding proteins (CBP, Cnm and Cbm) have been linked with systemic disease. Evaluation of S. mutans serotype distribution and caries association is needed in the United States. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of S. mutans serotypes from two cohorts of African American children in rural Alabama using 3 sample types (saliva, plaque, and individual S. mutans isolates) by PCR detection for association with caries. Detection of CBP was also performed by PCR. In total, 129 children were evaluated and overall prevalence of serotypes were: serotype c(98%), e(26%), f(7%), and k(52%). Serotype c was statistically associated with higher caries scores in older children (p<0.001) and serotype k was statistically more likely in females (p=0.004). Fourteen percent of children had CBP. Thirteen S. mutans isolates from 5 children tested positive for both CBP. This study is the first to report on prevalence of S. mutans serotypes in a US population using the PCR-based approach. The frequency of serotype k in this study is the highest reported in any population, illustrating the need for further study to determine prevalence of this clinically relevant serotype in the US. This is the first study to report S. mutans isolates with both Cnm and Cbm in the same strain, and further analysis is need to determine the clinical significance of these strains. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.