Novel serotype streptococcus mutans and utilization of the same

摘要

A polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide which lowers the glucose side chain amount in a serotype-specific polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus mutans; novel Streptococcus mutans strain having the above polynucleotide; an antibody specific to this Streptococcus mutans strain; and a method of detecting the above-described Streptococcus mutans strain occurring in a subject sample. According to this method, it is possible to examine the presence or absence of Streptococcus mutans of an untypable serotype in a subject sample to thereby specify a subject having a high risk of the onset of infective endocarditis.