A Scoping Review of the Genotypic Diversity of Streprococcus mutans
K. Kunguma Supraja
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
Saravanan Poorni *
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India and Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, India.
. Nivedhitha
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai - 600077, Tamil Nadu, India.
Manali Ramakrishnan Srinivasan
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India.
M. Jeevitha
Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
Selvaraj Jeyaraman
Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This paper reviews the literature on the pathogenic genotypes of S. mutans that may be more virulent colonizers and the phenotypic variability of its main virulence factors.
Methods: A thorough literature search on S. mutans was performed and the relevant datas supporting its association to dental caries were extracted.
Results: Dental caries is a microbial disease caused by frequent intake of dietary sugars. Fermentation of sugars by biofilm microbiota produces acids that disrupt microbial homeostasis and cause dissolution of tooth minerals. Identifying S. mutans as the most important cariogenic microorganism has led to the design of target specific preventive measures that intend to reduce its presence in oral cavity.
Conclusion: Due to environmental changes and selective pressure in the oral cavity, Streptococcus mutans endure extensive genotypic diversity thereby exhibiting new physiological and metabolic properties. However, the role of the variants are poorly understood.
Keywords: Dental caries, genotypic diversity, Streptococcus mutans