Rapid and Quantitative Detection of Streptococcus mutans with Species-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies

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Abstract
Streptococcus mutans is known to be a prime etiologic agent for the initiation and progression of human dental caries. Rapid, accurate, and quantitative detection of S. mutans will help us better understand the pathogenic mechanisms of dental caries and will help to develop methods for caries diagnosis and risk assessment. This study describes the development of three highly species-specific monoclonal IgG antibodies against S. mutans. The antibodies were used to develop a number of methods that quantitatively detect S. mutans in less S. mutans and in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of caries in humans.