Interconnection between DMFT index and mothers/children saliva Streptococcus mutans levels

Abstract

Samples of salivas were collected and DMFT index was established in 20 pairs of mothers/children accomplishing an amount of 40 individuals distributed in four groups according to the age of the children. GI - five children 3 to 6 months old, GII - five children 6 to 11 months old; GIII - five children 25 to 34 months old; and GIV - five children 7 to 8 years old. Nearly 1,5 ml of non stimulated saliva was collected and 1 microliter aliquots were settled in petri plates containing modified blood agar and sodium azide for the selection of Streptococcus, followed by even inoculation through bacteriologic ring and incubated in microaerophilia at 37 °C, by candle flame method, during 3 days. After incubation, the counting of CFU took place, considering the initial volume inoculated with stereomicroscopic support. 4 to 5 colonies with standard morphologic types were transfered to tubes containing BHI broth, incubated at 35 °C for 4 hours based on wich biochemical tests were perfomed, using Dade Behring panel and log phase techniques. After inoculation of the panels these were inserted in the Walk - Away - 40 which performed the reading of biochimical tests. All individuals exhibited salivary levels > 106 CFU/ml. The results underwent logarithmic transformation and were submited to Pearson linear correlated test, and simple linear regression test. We came to the conclusion that all researched population was milio nary mutans classified as having high risk of decay, with correlation between salivary levels of mutans and DMFT. Key words: Streptococcus mutans, dental caries, saliva, disease transmission.