Abstract
In the recent reports, the tonsillar instillation of sheep red blood cells was an effective method to induce specific IgA in saliva. The level of the specific antibody was much higher than those of oral and nasal administration. The purpose of this study is to examine that the instillation of whole cell suspension of formalin-killed Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) or Streptococcus sobrinus (S. sobrinus) into the palatine tonsil may induce specific antibody in saliva. In the 6th week after the instillation, agglutination titers of saliva and blood plasma to S. mutans and S. sobrinus increased significantly. Specific IgA concentration in saliva after the instillation also increased to 1.5μg/ml in the 6th week. The antibodies in saliva induced by the instillation of S. mutans and S. sobrinus did not cross-react with other streptococci. The antibodies only reacted with some mutans streptococci, including the instilled bacteria and those who are seorogically related with the instilled one. Thus, the results show that the tonsillar instillation is effective in immunization of mutans streptococci, and the instillation may be useful for preventive vaccination to dental caries.
