Different Patterns of Virulence Genes in <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and <i>Streptococcus sobrinus</i> Originating from Estonian Toddlers—Mothers Cohort
Aims: Mutans streptococci include <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and <i>Streptococcus sobrinus,</i> which can cause tooth decay. The current study aimed to compare their virulence genes with each other and to correlate them with the clinical data of patients. Materials and metho...
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Microbiology Research |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/13/4/65 |
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| author | Greete Maasi Jelena Štšepetova Merike Jõesaar Jana Olak Reet Mändar |
| author_facet | Greete Maasi Jelena Štšepetova Merike Jõesaar Jana Olak Reet Mändar |
| author_sort | Greete Maasi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aims: Mutans streptococci include <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and <i>Streptococcus sobrinus,</i> which can cause tooth decay. The current study aimed to compare their virulence genes with each other and to correlate them with the clinical data of patients. Materials and methods: Altogether 21 <i>S. mutans</i> and 19 <i>S. sobrinus</i> strains were investigated, originating from 24 children (age 2.7 ± 0.4 years) and 13 mothers (27.3 ± 3.7). The PCR method was applied to detect 11 virulence genes. Caries indices (dmf, decayed/missing/filled; DMFT, decayed/missing/filled teeth) and SM score (Mutans streptococci amount in saliva) were recorded. Results: Most of the <i>S. mutans</i> strains harbored all the virulence genes studied, while <i>S. sobrinus</i> had significantly fewer genes. The genes <i>gbpA</i>, <i>gbpB</i>, <i>wapA</i> and <i>ftf</i> were present in all isolates of <i>S. sobrinus</i>, the <i>spaP</i>, <i>gtfB</i>, <i>vicR</i>, <i>SMU.1037c</i> and <i>SMU.105</i> genes were present in 41–88% of the isolates, while <i>gtfD</i> and <i>SMU.104</i> genes were absent in <i>S. sobrinus</i> strains studied. A positive correlation appeared between the biofilm-related <i>vicR</i> and polysaccharide-production-related <i>gtfD</i> genes. In contrast, another polysaccharide-production-related <i>gtfB</i> gene was present in some cases in strains lacking the <i>vicR</i> or <i>gtfD</i> gene. Positive association was found between the presence of adhesion-related <i>spaP</i> gene in pediatric-derived <i>S. sobrinus</i> strains and an increase in SM score. Conclusions: Differences exist between the two common species of mutans streptococci: strains of <i>S. mutans</i> have more virulence genes than that of <i>S. sobrinus</i>, both crucial and virulence enhancing. Deeper research is needed to clarify the mechanisms behind the increased cariogenicity in cohabitation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:05:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b26ecc14c2ee4266903c5f56cc10bb85 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2036-7481 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:05:27Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj.art-b26ecc14c2ee4266903c5f56cc10bb852023-11-24T16:42:52ZengMDPI AGMicrobiology Research2036-74812022-11-0113492893610.3390/microbiolres13040065Different Patterns of Virulence Genes in <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and <i>Streptococcus sobrinus</i> Originating from Estonian Toddlers—Mothers CohortGreete Maasi0Jelena Štšepetova1Merike Jõesaar2Jana Olak3Reet Mändar4Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, EstoniaDepartment of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, EstoniaDepartment of Genetics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, EstoniaInstitute of Dentistry, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, EstoniaDepartment of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 19 Ravila Street, 50411 Tartu, EstoniaAims: Mutans streptococci include <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and <i>Streptococcus sobrinus,</i> which can cause tooth decay. The current study aimed to compare their virulence genes with each other and to correlate them with the clinical data of patients. Materials and methods: Altogether 21 <i>S. mutans</i> and 19 <i>S. sobrinus</i> strains were investigated, originating from 24 children (age 2.7 ± 0.4 years) and 13 mothers (27.3 ± 3.7). The PCR method was applied to detect 11 virulence genes. Caries indices (dmf, decayed/missing/filled; DMFT, decayed/missing/filled teeth) and SM score (Mutans streptococci amount in saliva) were recorded. Results: Most of the <i>S. mutans</i> strains harbored all the virulence genes studied, while <i>S. sobrinus</i> had significantly fewer genes. The genes <i>gbpA</i>, <i>gbpB</i>, <i>wapA</i> and <i>ftf</i> were present in all isolates of <i>S. sobrinus</i>, the <i>spaP</i>, <i>gtfB</i>, <i>vicR</i>, <i>SMU.1037c</i> and <i>SMU.105</i> genes were present in 41–88% of the isolates, while <i>gtfD</i> and <i>SMU.104</i> genes were absent in <i>S. sobrinus</i> strains studied. A positive correlation appeared between the biofilm-related <i>vicR</i> and polysaccharide-production-related <i>gtfD</i> genes. In contrast, another polysaccharide-production-related <i>gtfB</i> gene was present in some cases in strains lacking the <i>vicR</i> or <i>gtfD</i> gene. Positive association was found between the presence of adhesion-related <i>spaP</i> gene in pediatric-derived <i>S. sobrinus</i> strains and an increase in SM score. Conclusions: Differences exist between the two common species of mutans streptococci: strains of <i>S. mutans</i> have more virulence genes than that of <i>S. sobrinus</i>, both crucial and virulence enhancing. Deeper research is needed to clarify the mechanisms behind the increased cariogenicity in cohabitation.https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/13/4/65mutans streptococcivirulence genedental caries<i>Streptococcus mutans</i><i>Streptococcus sobrinus</i> |
| spellingShingle | Greete Maasi Jelena Štšepetova Merike Jõesaar Jana Olak Reet Mändar Different Patterns of Virulence Genes in <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and <i>Streptococcus sobrinus</i> Originating from Estonian Toddlers—Mothers Cohort Microbiology Research mutans streptococci virulence gene dental caries <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> <i>Streptococcus sobrinus</i> |
| title | Different Patterns of Virulence Genes in <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and <i>Streptococcus sobrinus</i> Originating from Estonian Toddlers—Mothers Cohort |
| title_full | Different Patterns of Virulence Genes in <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and <i>Streptococcus sobrinus</i> Originating from Estonian Toddlers—Mothers Cohort |
| title_fullStr | Different Patterns of Virulence Genes in <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and <i>Streptococcus sobrinus</i> Originating from Estonian Toddlers—Mothers Cohort |
| title_full_unstemmed | Different Patterns of Virulence Genes in <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and <i>Streptococcus sobrinus</i> Originating from Estonian Toddlers—Mothers Cohort |
| title_short | Different Patterns of Virulence Genes in <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and <i>Streptococcus sobrinus</i> Originating from Estonian Toddlers—Mothers Cohort |
| title_sort | different patterns of virulence genes in i streptococcus mutans i and i streptococcus sobrinus i originating from estonian toddlers mothers cohort |
| topic | mutans streptococci virulence gene dental caries <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> <i>Streptococcus sobrinus</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/13/4/65 |
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