A Study of Streptococcus sanguis Isolated from Dental Plaque of MCLS Patients and Their Mothers

I. Classification and Characterization

Abstract

Streptococci resembling Streptococcus sanguis were isolated from dental plaque of MCLS patients and their mothers. The biochemical and serological characteristics of these organisms were examined in this study.
These organisms were found to synthesize extracellular glucan, to give rise to haemolysis and to ferment melibiose and cellobiose, but they failed to hydrolyse arginine and esculine, suggesting that they were similar to biotype B strains of S. sanguis.
Serological studies of these organisms revealed that they gave rise to cross-reactions with S. sanguis serotype I strain when the cell-surface substance of these organisms was used as antigen. However, they were separated into new two serogroups when the heat-extracted substance was used as antigen.