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. 2025 Jan 9;29(1):52.
doi: 10.1007/s00784-024-06140-0.

Streptococcus mutans serotyping, collagen-binding genes and Candida albicans in dentin carious lesions: a molecular approach

Wanessa Fernandes Matias Regis  1 , Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes Muniz  2 , Francisco Ruliglésio Rocha  3 , Ernanda Maria de Araújo Sales  1 , Pedro Henrique Acioly Guedes Peixoto Vieira  1 , Myrna Maria Arcanjo Frota Barros  4 , Stephanie de Almeida Alves  1 , Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira Brilhante  3 , Simone Duarte  5 , Beatriz Gonçalves Neves  4 , Lidiany Karla Azevedo Rodrigues  6   7
Affiliations

Streptococcus mutans serotyping, collagen-binding genes and Candida albicans in dentin carious lesions: a molecular approach

Wanessa Fernandes Matias Regis et al. Clin Oral Investig. .

Abstract

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Streptococcus spp., Streptococcus mutans, its serotypes (c, e, f, and k), collagen-binding genes (cnm/cbm), and Candida albicans in medium deep (D2) and deep (D3) dentin carious lesions of permanent teeth.

Materials and methods: Carious dentin was collected from D2 (n = 23) and D3 (n = 24) lesions in posterior teeth from 31 individuals. DNA was extracted and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: Streptococcus spp. exhibited a high prevalence in both D2 and D3 lesions, with a 100% occurrence rate in D3. Although S. mutans was prevalent in both lesion types, serotype distribution highlighted differences in complexity. Serotype e was the most frequently detected in D2 samples. Serotype c was absent in D2 but present in 19.0% of D3; serotype k was exclusively found in multi-serotype D3 alongside f, c, and e. The cbm gene and undetermined serotypes were detected only in D3. Candida albicans was not found in any samples, regardless of lesion depth.

Conclusion: Dentinal lesions exhibited a complex array of S. mutans serotypes, with a notable prevalence of the genus Streptococcus and an overall S. mutans prevalence of approximately 35%. Candida albicans was absent. In addition, a high diversity of serotypes was observed, including multiple and indeterminate serotypes, along with the presence of the collagen-binding cbm gene.

Clinical relevance: The identification of diverse Streptococcus mutans serotypes and the cbm gene in carious dentin from permanent teeth offers insights into microbial factors potentially linked to dentinal caries lesions. Additionally, the absence of Candida albicans suggests a limited role in this context.

Keywords: Candida albicans; Streptococcus; Collagen-binding proteins; Dental Caries; Dentin; Genes; Polymerase chain reaction; Serogroup.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethical approval: The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Ceará - CEP/UFC/PROPESQ (CAAE 54451316.7.0000.5054) and (CAAE 46268821.6.0000.5054). Informed consent: Written informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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