Determinants of the developing oral flora in normal newborns.

AUTOR(ES)

Long, S S

RESUMO

The ability of Streptococcus species to selectively adhere to the oral epithelial cells of newborns was studied in vitro. On day 1 of life, mucosal cells from normal infants demonstrated selective attraction for the natural distribution of streptococci that would soon colonize these surfaces. Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus mitis adhered well in vitro to scraped cells from cheek and tongue surfaces. Streptococcus mutans, on the other hand, exhibited feeble or no adherence to cheek or tongue cells. Adherence of Escherichia coli to oral epithelial cells was also studied. The ability of strains of E. coli to adhere to cheek and tongue cells correlated solely with the presence of cell surface substances, probably pili. These observations, made on infants at the critical moment of their developing flora, strengthen the hypothesis that the ability of bacteria to adhere to surfaces is an important determinant of their ecological place in the oral microflora.

Documentos Relacionados

• Computer analysis of cardiac contractility variables obtained by M-mode echocardiography in normal newborns.
• Selective non-treatment of newborns.
• Changes after birth in the tunica media and in the internal diameter of the aortic isthmus in normal newborns.
• Urea and its bioavailability in newborns.
• Proteolysis and phenylalanine hydroxylation in response to parenteral nutrition in extremely premature and normal newborns.