Prevalence of hydrolytic enzymes and viscous material producing micro-organisms in human saliva and dental plaque

Abstract

Using plate and broth methods, we screened human saliva and dental plaque constituents for their ability to produce β-lactamase, DNase, hyaluronidase, chondroitin sulfatase, lipase, lecithinase, collagenase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and viscous materials. Strains freshly isolated from the saliva and dental plaque of healthy students were used in this experiment. DNase and β-lactamase activities were found in 4% of the isolates. Hyaluronidase, chondroitin sulfatase, lipase, lecithinase, collagenase and trypsin activities were found in less than 1%. Prevotella species were the predominant producers of DNase, β-lactamase, hyaluronidase, lecithinase, and chondroitin sulfatase. Trypsin producers were identified as Capnocytophaga and Porphyromonas gingivalis, while P. gingivalis was the only species producing collagenase. These results indicate that constituents of saliva or dental plaque have the potential to exacerbate odontogenic infections.