ADHERENCE OF STREPTOCOCCUS-GORDONII HG-222 IN THE PRESENCE OF SALIVA

The influence of the presence of saliva from different salivary glands on the adherence of Streptococcus gordonii strain HG 222 to saliva-co ated polystyrene surfaces was tested. In the presence of undiluted par otid saliva or diluted whole, submandibular and sublingual saliva the adherence of HG 222 was enhanced by the formation of small aggregates on the attachment surface. In the presence of undiluted whole, submand ibular and sublingual saliva large aggregates were formed and the adhe rence to saliva-coated polystyrene surfaces was inhibited. Adherence i n the presence of whole saliva compared to adherence in buffer was dec reased when lower densities of bacterial suspension were used, althoug h in this case in the presence of whole saliva smaller bacterial aggre gates were formed. In conclusion, these results suggest that the prese nce of saliva in solution may both enhance and decrease the adherence of S. gordonii HG 222 to saliva-coated polystyrene surfaces, partly de pending on the size of bacterial aggregates that are formed in the pre sence of saliva.