Comparison of Streptococcus mutans strains from children with caries-active, caries-free and gingivitis clinical diagnosis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

A study was conducted to compare the DNA structure of Streptococcus mutans strains in children with caries-active, caries-free, and gingivitis clinical diagnosis. Twenty-eight Streptococcus mutans strains from 100 children's plaques were examined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) method. The classified strains were closely related to one another, though the strains originated from different disease groups. Three identical pairs were found, but the pairs in two cases belonged to different disease groups. The results of the PFGE experiments suggest that there is no correlation between the different DNA patterns ofS. mutans strains and their cariogenecity. So the different DNA strains ofS. mutans are not the only determining factor in the development of dental caries.