Characteristic differences between saliva-dependent aggregation and adhesion of streptococci

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Abstract
Comparison of saliva [human]-mediated aggregation of Streptococcus sanguis, S. mitis and S. mutans and adhesion of these organisms to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite showed that there was no relationship between these 2 activities. Adsorption of salivary aggregating activity to bacteria appears to have little effect on the ability of the residual saliva to support adherence; conversely, adsorption of salivary adherence factors to hydroxyapatite does not affect aggregation. Although heating saliva significantly reduces bacterial aggregation, it has little or no effect on adherence. A comparison of aggregation and adhesion with serial dilutions of saliva demonstrated that adhesion could still be detected at 100 to 500-fold-lower concentrations of salivary protein than bacterial aggregation. Thus, aggregation and adherence apparently involve 2 distinct mechanisms of microbial clearance in the oral cavity.