Mutans Streptococci: Acquisition and Transmission 6/4/2010

Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Lutheran Medical Center

Resident’s Name: Craig Elice Date: 6/04/2010
Article title: Mutans Streptococci: Acquisition and Transmission
Author(s): Berkowitz, RJ.
Journal: Ped Dent: 28:2
Month, Year: 2006, 106-9
Major topic: Acquisition and transmission of Strep mutans.
Type of Article: Literature review
Purpose: This article describes other studies to explain the caries relationship with Strep mutans and how it is acquired.
Overview: Initially it was thought that the acquisition of Strep mutans required a hard tissue oral surface such as a tooth. However it was determined that in fact Strep mutans is acquired by approximately 9 months of age perhaps by the organism surviving in the furrows of the tongue. This early acqution of MS is a major risk factor for early childhood caries and future caries experience. One study demonstrated that 89% of children with MS colonization by age 2 had dental caries by age 4 A major source of MS was from mothers therefore vertical transmission was a evident. Berkowitz reported that mothers with greater than 105 CFU’s of MS per ml in the saliva, had an infant infection rate of 59%. However, mothers with 103 CFU’s of MS per ml had a low infection rate for infants (9%). Neonatal factors such as C-section acquired MS earlier than infants delivered vaginally Horizontal transmission appears to be another significant factor in determining caries risk. Other family members as well as children in a daycare center were at increased risk of transmitting MS between children. Both vertical and horizontal transmission has clinical relevance. For example, when mothers with high MS levels consumed habitual amounts of daily Xylitol, the rate of infection was severely diminished. Other factors include education to reduce saliva sharing feeding activities, use of fluoridated dentrifice by infants, dietary counseling, and infant oral health examination.
Summary: 1. Primary oral infection by MS may occur in predentate infants, 2. Vertical and Horizontal transmission of MS, 3. Prevention of MS infection significantly reduces early childhood caries.
Assessment of article: Good article which was short and to the point..