Transfer of Tn 916 -Like Elements in Microcosm Dental Plaques

Abstract
Microcosm dental plaques were grown from an inoculum of human saliva in a constant-depth film fermentor. The inoculum contained four tetracycline-resistant streptococcal species, each of which contained a Tn 916 -like element. This element was shown to transfer to other streptococci both in filter-mating experiments and within the biofilms in the fermentor.