Protein antigen in serotype k Streptococcus mutans clinical isolates

作者：Nakano K; Nomura R; Nemoto H; Lapirattanakul J; Taniguchi N; Gronroos L; Alaluusua S; Ooshima T^*

来源：Journal of Dental Research, 2008, 87(10): 964-968.

• Streptococcus mutans
• serotype
• expression
• protein antigen

Streptococcus mutans, a major pathogen of dental caries and infective endocarditis, is classified into serotypes c, e, f, and k, with serotype k strains recently reported to be frequently detected in persons with infective endocarditis. Thus, we hypothesized that common properties associated with infective endocarditis are present in those strains. Fifty-six oral S. mutans strains, including 11 serotype k strains, were analyzed. Western blotting analysis revealed expression of the 3 types of glucosyltransferases in all strains, while expression of the approximately 190-kDa cell-surface protein (PA) was absent in 12 strains, among which the prevalence of serotype k (7/12) was significantly high. Furthermore, cellular hydrophobicity and phagocytosis susceptibility were lower in the group of serotype k strains. These results indicate that the absence of PA expression, low cellular hydrophobicity, and phagocytosis susceptibility are common bacterial properties associated with serotype k strains, which may be associated with virulence for infective endocarditis.

• 出版日期2008-10