1ST CHARACTERIZATION IN ITALY OF CLINICAL ISOLATES OF MUTANS STREPTOCOCCI BY USING SPECIFIC MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES

The aim of this investigation was to gain further insight into the pre valence of different serotypes of mutans streptococci in the Italian p opulation by using specific monoclonal antibodies in an enzyme immunoa ssay. Isolates from dental plaque samples, collected from an adult pop ulation living in Pisa (Italy), were identified as mutans streptococci on the basis of their morphological and biochemical properties, and w ere then serotyped. The results show that 77.5% of the strains isolate d belonged to serotype c or f (i.e., S. mutans), 15.9% were serotype e (i.e., S. mutans) and only two strains (1.4%) belonged to serotype g (i.e., S. sobrinus). These data are partially in agreement with other studies in Europe and in the U.S.A. The distribution pattern of the va rious serotypes turned out to be substantially similar among the diffe rent groups of patients, subdivided on the basis of their caries statu s, indicating that none of the serotypes was particularly associated w ith dental caries.