Growth rates of Actinomyces viscosus and Streptococcus mutans during early colonization of tooth surfaces in gnotobiotic rats
Year: 1982
Type: article
Abstract: Germfree Osborne-Mendel rats were monoassociated with Actinomyces viscosus or Streptococcus mutans. The adherence and subsequent growth of these organisms on the tooth surface was studied by means of total viable cell counts. Both A. viscosus and S. mutans showed a lag phase and an exponential growth phase, similar to logarithmic growth in batch cultures. The exponential growth rates of S. mutans and A. viscosus were 0.63 h-1 (doubling time [td] = 1.1 h) and 0.24 h-1 (td = 2.9 h), respectively. After a period of rapid growth, the rate declined and the populations approached a steady state. The presence of a sucrose-containing diet did not significantly influence the exponential growth rates of A. viscosus and S. mutans, but had a slight negative effect on the initial adherence of S. mutans at the tooth surface.
Source: Infection and Immunity
Authors: H J Beckers, J S van der Hoeven
Language: English
Subfield: Periodontics
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1868152069