GENERATION OF BOVINE IMMUNE COLOSTRUM AGAINST STREPTOCOCCUS-MUTANS AND STREPTOCOCCUS-SOBRINUS AND ITS EFFECT ON GLUCOSE-UPTAKE AND EXTRACELLULAR POLYSACCHARIDE FORMATION BY MUTANS STREPTOCOCCI

Due to potential side-effects of active immunization by cariogenic mut ans streptococci, oral administration of passively-derived antibodies could be a more acceptable way to reduce colonization and virulence of these microorganisms in human dentition, The aim of this study was to produce antistreptococcal immunoglobulins into bovine colostrum and e xplore the possible antibacterial mechanisms of these immunoglobulins against mutans streptococci. Specific serum IgG antibodies to whole ce ll antigens of both Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in creased rapidly in cows during immunization and were high also in the final whey-product, Low concentration (0.5% w/v) of bovine immune prep aration inhibited significantly the incorporation of [C-14]glucose by both S. mutans and S, sobrinus. Higher concentration (> 1%) was needed to inhibit the glucosyltransferase or fructosyltransferase activities of these bacteria, No such inhibitory effects were observed with the control preparation from the non-immunized cows, Our results indicate that bovine immune colostrum has a significant inhibitory potential ag ainst mutans streptococci, apparently dependent on the presence of spe cific Ige antibodies against S. mutans and S, sobrinus. (C) 1997 Elsev ier Science Ltd.