Association between caries prevalence and clinical, microbiological and dietary variables in 1.0 to 0.5-year-old Brazilian children

The association between caries prevalence and clinical (presence of visible plaque in the labial surfaces of maxillary incisors), microbiological (salivary levels of mutans streptococci) and dietary variables was evaluated in 142 1.0- to 2.5-year-old children attending public day-care nurseries in the city of Piracicaba - Sao Paulo. A significant difference in caries prevalence was observed between those children with and without visible plaque (chi(2) = 12.08, p < 0.001). The mean ds (decayed surfaces) was significantly higher in children with visible plaque on the maxillary incisors than in children without it (p < 0.001). Mutans streptococci were detected in 114 (80.3%) of the children. A significantly higher caries prevalence was observed in children with high levels of mutans streptococci compared to children with low levels (chi(2) = 28.67, p < 0.001). The mean ds was significantly higher in children with levels of mutans streptococci greater than 50 CFU when compared to children with 0 CFU or 1-50 CFU of mutans streptococci (p < 0.05). Children who were either never breast-fed or only until 3 months exhibited a significantly higher caries prevalence than those breast-fed for a longer time (chi(2) = 4.11, p < 0.05). A significantly higher caries prevalence was also observed between children that used bottle containing milk with sucrose and cereal than children using bottle with milk with or without sucrose (chi(2) = 6.24, p < 0.05). Children who started to eat salty meals at or after 7 months of age showed a significant higher caries prevalence than children who started earlier (chi(2) = 10.30, p < 0.01). These data support the evidence of an association between caries prevalence in young children and mutans streptococci levels, clinical and dietary factors.32531932

Mutans streptococci oral colonization in 12-30-month-old Brazilian children over a one-year follow-up period

Objectives: The infection levels of mutans streptococci were investigated during a one-year follow-up in children aged 12 to 30 months attending school nurseries where a sucrose-rich diet was provided. Methods: Oral levels of mutans streptococci obtained from 101 children at baseline and after a one-year follow-up were compared by age, number of teeth, feeding habits, and presence of visible plaque at baseline. Baseline predictors and changes in mutans streptococci levels during the study were compared to caries incidence after one year Results: Fluctuations in mutans streptococci levels during the follow-up period were not related to feeding habits or presence of visible plaque. Mutans streptococci levels increased after one year among children aged 12 to 24 months, while a significantly higher proportion of those aged 25-30 months showed a decrease in mutans streptococci levels during the study. Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that high levels of mutans streptococci (greater than or equal to 100 cfu) at baseline were associated with a higher caries increment, while reduction in mutans streptococci was negatively associated with caries incidence. Conclusions: Our data suggest that despite early mutans streptococci infection and high exposure to sucrose, mutans streptococci may achieve relatively stable levels after 2 years of age. Heavy colonization by mutans streptococci in an early age was related to an extremely high caries incidence during childhood, while decreasing levels of mutans streptococci can be associated to the decrease in caries activity.61316116

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori detected by polymerase chain reaction in the oral cavity of periodontitis patients

Helicobacter pylori is an important gastrointestinal pathogen associated with gastritis, peptic ulcers, and an increased risk of gastric carcinoma. the oral cavity has been indicated as a possible H. pylori reservoir, and may therefore be involved in the reinfection of the stomach which sometimes follows treatment of H. pylori infection. the objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori as detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the oral cavity of periodontitis patients testing positive for this bacterium in the stomach. Thirty adult patients with alterations of the superior digestive tract, testing urease positive after endoscopy and biopsy, were selected. A full-mouth periodontal examination was performed in every patient and the subjects were allocated to two groups: gingivitis (15 patients) and chronic periodontitis (15 patients). Plaque and saliva samples collected from each patient were stored in 0.5 ml of TE buffer. DNA was extracted from the samples by the boiling method and was evaluated for the presence of H. pylori using the PCR method. JW 22/23 primers were used. the DNA of ATCC H. pylori 43629 (positive control) and water (negative control) were used for controlling the reactions. of the 30 evaluated patients, 13 (43.3%) harbored H. pylori in the mouth. the bacterium was not found on the dorsum of the tongue of any patient, but was found in saliva in three patients (10%), in the supragingival plaque in six patients (20%), and in the subgingival plaque in eight patients (26.6%). the presence of H. pylori was similar in the gingivitis and chronic periodontitis groups. in conclusion, a high percentage of patients harbored H. pylori in their mouth. the bacterium was detected in saliva, supragingival and subgingival plaque, suggesting that these sites may be considered reservoirs for H. pylori in urease-positive patients.Univ São Paulo, Dent Branch, Dept Stomatol, Div Periodont, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Dept Microbiol, Inst Biomed Sci, BR-05508 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Gastroenterol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Gastroenterol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori detected by polymerase chain reaction in the oral cavity of periodontitis patients

Helicobacter pylori is an important gastrointestinal pathogen associated with gastritis, peptic ulcers, and an increased risk of gastric carcinoma. the oral cavity has been indicated as a possible H. pylori reservoir, and may therefore be involved in the reinfection of the stomach which sometimes follows treatment of H. pylori infection. the objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori as detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the oral cavity of periodontitis patients testing positive for this bacterium in the stomach. Thirty adult patients with alterations of the superior digestive tract, testing urease positive after endoscopy and biopsy, were selected. A full-mouth periodontal examination was performed in every patient and the subjects were allocated to two groups: gingivitis (15 patients) and chronic periodontitis (15 patients). Plaque and saliva samples collected from each patient were stored in 0.5 ml of TE buffer. DNA was extracted from the samples by the boiling method and was evaluated for the presence of H. pylori using the PCR method. JW 22/23 primers were used. the DNA of ATCC H. pylori 43629 (positive control) and water (negative control) were used for controlling the reactions. of the 30 evaluated patients, 13 (43.3%) harbored H. pylori in the mouth. the bacterium was not found on the dorsum of the tongue of any patient, but was found in saliva in three patients (10%), in the supragingival plaque in six patients (20%), and in the subgingival plaque in eight patients (26.6%). the presence of H. pylori was similar in the gingivitis and chronic periodontitis groups. in conclusion, a high percentage of patients harbored H. pylori in their mouth. the bacterium was detected in saliva, supragingival and subgingival plaque, suggesting that these sites may be considered reservoirs for H. pylori in urease-positive patients.Univ São Paulo, Dent Branch, Dept Stomatol, Div Periodont, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Dept Microbiol, Inst Biomed Sci, BR-05508 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Gastroenterol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Gastroenterol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc