[Evaluation of the in vitro cariogenic potential of Streptococcus mutans (serotype C) strains isolated from caries-free and -active people: the ability of acidogenicity].
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of acidogenicity of S. mutans (serotype C) strains isolated from the people with different caries experience. METHODS: Same density solutions of all isolated S. mutans were made and cultured in different pH TPPE liquid for the same period of time. Terminal pH of the solutions was measured. The values of delta pH were compared. RESULTS: Significant difference of acidogenicity was observed between the strains of different genotypes isolated from the same person. The ratio of high acidogenicity isolates harbored in caries-active people was greater than that of caries-free people; a significant difference was noted (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The high cariogenicity of isolated S. mutans strains of caries-active people shows a close relationship with the high acidogenicity of the isolated S. mutans (serotype C) strains.