1,720,973 research outputs found
Differences in microbiological composition of saliva and dental plaque in subjects with different drinking habits.
No full textSeveral foods have been shown to contain natural components (especially polyphenols) which display anti-adhesive properties against Streptococcus mutans, the aetiological agent responsible for dental crown caries, as well as inhibition of glucosyltransferases, which are the S. mutans enzymes involved in the synthesis of an adherent, water-insoluble glucan from sucrose. Other studies have demonstrated an in vitro action on oral plaque biofilm formation and desorption. This study evaluated whether the activity displayed in vitro by food compounds could affect the microbiological composition of saliva and dental plaque of subjects with a diet rich in these foods, comparing the results with those obtained from subjects with a different diet. The foods considered were: coffee, barley coffee, tea and wine. A total of 93 subjects were recruited into the study. Six samples of both plaque and saliva were collected from each subject at roughly one-monthly intervals. Total bacteria, total streptococci, S. mutans and lactobacilli counts were determined by culture in both saliva and dental plaque. The highest bacterial titres were recorded for the control population, while each drinking habit subgroup showed counts roughly one log lower than the controls. These differences in bacterial counts proved statistically significant (P<0.05). As far as dental plaque was concerned, while total counts did not significantly vary per mg of plaque in the subjects belonging to the different drinking habit subgroups, a significant decrease (P<0.05) was observed in those subjects drinking coffee, tea, barley coffee and wine when mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were evaluated. In several cases a more than one log decrease was observed. Plaque indices were also determined, and a significant (P<0.05) reduction in values was recorded in the subjects belonging the specific drinking habit subgroups compared to the control group. This study indicates that there is a correlation between consumption of specific foods and oral health in terms of reduced plaque deposition and lower counts of odontopathogens
Microbiological evaluation of the effects of hyperbaric oxigen on the periodontal disease.
No full textEffect of A Fluoride Toothpaste Containing Enzymes and Salivary Proteins on Periodontal Pathogens in Subjects with Black Stain: A Pilot Study
No full textObjective: Black stain (BS) is an extrinsic dental discoloration particularly difficult to treat. Although its etiology is not fully clear yet, chromogenic bacteria inside the oral cavity seem to be involved. In this pilot study, we evaluated whether a toothpaste containing enzymes and salivary proteins could improve oral health and reduce the presence of periodontal pathogens in subjects predisposed to BS discoloration. Methods: Twenty-six subjects were enrolled in the study: 10 subjects without BS; 16 subjects with BS, randomly assigned in two groups: test (n = 8) and control (n = 8). The test group used a toothpaste containing sodium fluoride, enzymes, and salivary proteins. The control group used a toothpaste with amine fluoride. At enrollment and after 14 weeks, participants were subjected to professional oral hygiene, evaluation of BS (through Shourie index) and oral health status, collection of saliva and dental plaque samples. The presence of periodontal pathogens in plaque and saliva of all subjects was investigated by molecular analysis (PCR). Statistical analysis: The prevalence of investigated microbial species in patients with/without BS was performed by Chi-squared test. The variation in the prevalence of the investigated species after treatment in test and control group was analyzed by t-test. Results: Clinical evaluation showed that 86% of participants with BS had a reduction in the Shourie index, independently from the toothpaste used. In particular, a greater reduction in the Shourie index was observed in subjects using an electric toothbrush. We did not observe an effect of the fluoride toothpaste containing enzymes and salivary proteins on the composition of the oral microbiota of the test subjects in comparison with controls. When comparing all subjects with BS (n = 16) and without BS (n = 10), P. gingivalis detection was significantly higher in saliva samples collected from subjects with BS (p = 0.0129). Conclusion: We verified that the use of an enzyme-containing toothpaste alone is not sufficient to prevent the formation of BS dental pigmentation in subjects predisposed to this discoloration. Mechanical cleaning, especially using electrical toothbrushes, seems to be useful to counteract BS formation. Moreover, our results suggest a possible association between BS and the presence of P. gingivalis at the salivary level
Support for the role of Candica spp. in extensive caries lesions of children
No full textCandida spp. are frequently detected in the mouths of children with extensive caries lesions compared with caries-free subjects. In this study we evaluated the presence of Candida spp. in association with mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in the saliva of children with dental decay, before and after anti-caries treatment. Samples of saliva from 14 children with caries lesions and from 13 caries-free subjects were evaluated for the presence of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and Candida spp. by culture. Eleven of 14 carious subjects hosted Candida spp. in their saliva as against only 2 out of 13 subjects without caries lesions. Carious subjects were treated by adopting a conventional protocol for caries disease (rinses with a mouthwash containing 0.2% chlorhexidine and fluorine). After treatment, the salivary bacterial counts decreased for mutans streptococci and in some cases for lactobacilli, but large numbers of Candida spp. remained in the saliva of several children. The latter were treated with the antifungal drug nystatin (oral rinses) and evaluation of the level of yeasts in the saliva showed disappearance of the microorganism in several cases. The results indicate that antiseptic treatment alone for dental decay is not sufficient for the eradication of microorganisms potentially responsible for caries lesions, in particular when yeasts are present. We hypothesize that the oral cavity of children could act as a reservoir of fungi, and eradication could be needed to prevent both exacerbation of caries lesions, and colonization by Candida spp. of other host sites
Persistence of Enterococcus faecalis in aquatic environments via surface interactions with copepods.
No full textSeveral human pathogens and fecal-pollution indicators may persist as viable organisms in natural environments, owing to their ability to activate different types of survival strategies. These strategies include adhesion on both abiotic and biotic surfaces and the entrance to the so-called viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state. In an 18-month survey for the detection of enterococci in both lake water and seawater, C. Signoretto et al. (Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70:6892-6896, 2004) have shown that Enterococcus faecalis was detected mostly bound to plankton and in the VBNC state. In the present study, we show that in vitro adhesion of E. faecalis to copepods accelerated the entry of cells into the VBNC state relative to that of planktonic bacteria. VBNC E. faecalis cells maintained their adhesive properties to copepods and chitin (the main component of the copepod carapace), though to a reduced extent in comparison with growing cells. Sugar competition experiments showed interference with adhesion to both copepods and chitin by GlcNAc and only to copepods by D-mannose. Four enterococcal cell wall proteins present in both growing and VBNC cells and lipoteichoic acid were shown to be capable of binding chitin. The results indicate that copepods may represent an additional environmental reservoir of enterococci, thus suggesting the advisability of redesigning the protocols currently used for microbial detection during the evaluation of the microbiological quality of environmental samples
Drinking Habits Are Associated with Changes in the Dental Plaque Microbial Community
No full textCaries and gingivitis are the most prevalent oral infectious diseases of humans and are due to the accu-mulation of dental plaque (a microbial biofilm) on the tooth surface and at the gingival margin, respectively. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that many natural components of foods and beverages inhibit the adhesion of and/or exert activity against oral bacteria. These biological activities have mainly been attributed to the polyphenol fraction. In order to explore the possibility that diet can alter the dental plaque community, in this study we evaluated the composition of the microbiota of supra- and subgingival plaque samples collected from 75 adult subjects with different drinking habits (drinkers of coffee, red wine, or water for at least 2 years) by analyzing the microbial population through the separation of PCR-amplified fragments using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique. The mean numbers of bands of the DGGE profiles from all three categories were evaluated. There were no significant differences between the two kinds of plaque collected from the control group (water drinkers), and this group showed the highest number of bands (supragingival plaque, 18.98 3.16 bands; subgingival plaque, 18.7 3.23 bands). The coffee and wine drinker groups generated the lowest numbers of bands for both supragingival plaque (coffee drinkers, 8.25 3.53 bands; wine drinkers, 7.93 2.55 bands) and subgingival plaque (coffee drinkers, 8.3 3.03 bands; wine drinkers, 7.65 1.68 bands). The differences between coffee drinkers or wine drinkers and the contro
Microbiological Investigation and Clinical Efficacy of Professional Topical Fluoride Application on Streptococcus mutans and Selemonas sputigena in Orthodontic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Full text linkFluoride prophylaxis is a cornerstone in preventing dental caries, a disease for which orthodontic patients are at high risk due to the reduced effectiveness of home oral hygiene and increased plaque accumulation. Recent evidence defines caries as polymicrobial, involving Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli, and emerging species such as Selenomonas sputigena. This prospective, randomized, controlled study evaluated professional topical fluoride in the form of gel and varnish in 68 patients aged 8–17 years wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. Participants were divided into three equal groups: two intervention groups and one control group. Clinical parameters (DMFT, salivary pH, PCR%) and microbiological analyses of plaque and saliva (oral Streptococci, S. mutans, S. sputigena, Lactobacilli, total bacterial count) were assessed at baseline (T0) and after 4 months (T1), following professional hygiene and fluoride application for the intervention groups. At T1, salivary pH increased in the gel group, and PCR% decreased significantly in all groups, with the most pronounced decrease observed in the varnish group. PCR analysis showed a higher rate of S. mutans and S. sputigena negativization in intervention groups. Culture-based analyses revealed reductions in oral Streptococci and Lactobacilli in intervention groups, while levels increased in controls. Overall, both clinical and microbiological variables indicated improvements in the fluoride-treated groups compared to controls, highlighting the efficacy of professional fluoride prophylaxis in orthodontic patients
Adhesion of Enterococcus faecalis in the nonculturable state to plankton is the main mechanism responsible for persistence of this bacterium in both lake and seawater
No full textThe presence of enterococci in lake and seawater in an 18-month survey comparing molecular (PCR and quantitative PCR) and culture methods was evaluated, as well as the possibility that zooplankton could act as reservoirs for enterococci. Samples of both water and zooplankton were collected monthly from a Lake Garda site and an Adriatic Sea site. In lake water, the positive samples numbered 13 of 54 (24%) by culture and 32 of 54 (59%) when PCR was applied. In seawater, they numbered 0 of 51 by culture and 18 of 51 (35%) by PCR. Enterococci were found either totally bound to plankton or totally in water, depending on the presence or absence of plankton, respectively. These results clearly indicate that the PCR assay is a powerful tool for detecting fecal indicators and pathogens in the environment, thus providing a much more sensitive method than culture
Toothbrushes may convey bacteria to the cystic fibrosis lower airways
Full text linkRecent findings indicate that the oral cavity acts as a bacterial reservoir and might contribute to the transmission of bacteria to the lower airways. Control of a potentially pathogenic microbiota might contribute to prevent the establishment of chronic infection in cystic fibrosis. We evaluated the presence of CF microorganisms in saliva and toothbrushes of CF patients and verify their possible transmission to lower airways. Methods: We assessed the presence of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, S. maltophilia, A. xylosoxidans, S. marcescens, and yeasts in saliva, toothbrushes and sputum of 38 CF patients and assessed the clonal identity of the strains occurring contemporary in multiple sites by PFGE. Results: At least one of the investigated species was isolated from 60 saliva samples and 23 toothbrushes. S. aureus was the most abundant species, followed by Candida spp. 31 patients contemporary had the same species in sputum and saliva/toothbrush: in most cases, clonal identity of the strains among the different sites was confirmed. Conclusion: Toothbrushes may be sources of oral contamination and might act as reservoirs favoring transmission of potentially pathogenic microorganisms from the environment to the oral cavity and eventually to the LAW. Oral hygiene and toothbrush care are important strategies to prevent CF lung infections
A Topical Desiccant Agent in Association with Manual Debridement in the Initial Treatment of Peri-Implant Mucositis: A Clinical and Microbiological Pilot Study
Full text linkIn patients presenting mucositis, effective sub-gingival debridement is crucial to prevent peri-implantitis. The aim of this randomized study was to assess the three-month (T1) effects of a locally delivered liquid desiccant agent with molecular hygroscopic properties, in association with manual debridement, at sites with peri-implant mucositis. Twenty-three patients presenting at least one implant with no radiographically detectable bone loss, a pocket probing depth (PPD) ≥ 4 mm, and bleeding on probing (BOP), were included. At baseline (T0), patients were randomly assigned to receive the aforementioned desiccant agent before debridement (Test-Group), or a Chlorhexidine 1% disinfectant gel after debridement (Control-Group). Treatments were repeated after seven and 14 days. Peri-implant soft tissue assessment [PPD, BOP, Modified Bleeding Index (mBI), Visible Plaque Index (VPI), and Modified Plaque Index (mPLI)] and microbial sampling were performed at T0 and T1. At T1 the Test-Group presented significantly greater reductions for BOP, mBI, VPI, and mPLI. Concerning the deepest sites of the treated implants, both groups showed statistically significant reductions for BOP and mBI between T0 and T1. Furthermore, the Test-Group exhibited a significant decrease in anaerobic bacteria. Despite these valid outcomes, a complete resolution of the inflammatory conditions was not achieved by any of the groups
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