Prevention ofStreptococcus mutans colonization by salivary IgA antibodies

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Abstract
The levels of salivary and serum IgA, IgG, and IgM antibodies to the seven serotypes (a–g) ofStreptococcus mutans were established in 12 laboratory volunteers using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Salivary IgA antibody levels to the serotypec organism were significantly lower (PS. mutans. Similar results were found with a purifiedS. mutans serotypec carbohydrate. Serum IgG and IgM antibody titers to the serotypec whole cells were significantly higher (PS. mutans serotypes (a, e–g). The abilities ofS. mutans serotypesc andd to colonize molar tooth surfaces were examined in eight volunteers.S. mutans serotyped was cleared from the tooth surfaces within 24 hr of challenge, whereasS. mutans serotypec was detected in six of the eight volunteers after 2 weeks and in three of eight after 3 weeks. These results provide additional evidence for the role of salivary IgA antibodies in regulatingS. mutans infection and suggest that the low levels of salivary IgA antibodies toS. mutans serotypec may contribute to the predominance of this serotype in the U.S. population.