Relationship of 'Streptococcus mutans' Biotypes to Dental Caries Prevalence in Saudi Arabian Naval Men.

摘要

The prevalence of Streptococcus mutans was determined in a group of 217 Saudi Arabian naval personnel and their dental caries experience was obtained by clinical and radiographic examination. The caries experience (DMFT) in the Saudi Arabian group was significantly lower than observed in a comparable sample of U.S. naval recruits. There was also a significant positive correlation with the prevalence of S. mutans and caries in dental plaque samples of the Saudi Arabian group. S. mutans biotypes a and b were not observed in the Saudi Arabians, but single and multiple isolations of types c, d, and e occurred in 90.3 per cent of the group. Multiple biotype isolations were observed more frequently in the Saudi Arabian (40.9%) than in the American recruits (11.0%). A significantly higher proportion of S. mutans type e in the Saudi Arabians was noted. The DMFT was significantly higher in the men who were carriers of the e biotype and also in the men whose plaque samples contained multiple S. mutans biotypes. The distribution of various S. mutans types and their relationship to dental caries could be important in the understanding of the etiology of dental caries and its eventual control. (Author)