Bacteroides gingivalis-Actinomyces viscosus cohesive interactions as measured by a quantitative binding assay

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Infect. Immun.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5726029

Schwarz, S; Ellen, R P; Grove, D A

There is limited evidence, mostly indirect, to suggest that the adherence of Bacteroides gingivalis to teeth may be enhanced by the presence of gram-positive dental plaque bacteria like Actinomyces viscosus. The purpose of this study was to carry out direct quantitative assessments of the cohesion of B gingivalis and A. viscosus by using an in vitro assay modeled on the natural sequence in which these two species colonize the teeth. The assay allowed comparisons to be made of the adherence of /sup 3/H-labeled B. gingivalis 2561 and 381 to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite beads (S-HA) and A. viscosus WVU627- or T14V-coated S-HA (actinobeads) in equilibrium and kinetics binding studies. A series of preliminary binding studies with 3H-labeled A. viscosus and parallel studies by scanning electron microscopy with unlabeled A. viscosus were conducted to establish a protocol by which actinobeads suitable for subsequent Bacteroides adherence experiments could be prepared. By scanning electron microscopy, the actinobeads had only small gaps of exposed S-HA between essentially irreversibly bound A. viscosus cells. Furthermore, B. gingivalis cells appeared to bind preferentially to the Actinomyces cells instead of the exposed S-HA. B. gingivalis binding to both S-HA and actinobeads was saturable with at least 2 X 10(9) to 3 X 10(9) cells per ml, and equilibrium with saturating concentrations was reached within 10 to 20 min. B. gingivalis always bound in greater numbers to the actinobeads than to S-HA. These findings provide direct measurements supporting the concept that cohesion with dental plaque bacteria like A. viscosus may foster the establishment of B. gingivalis on teeth by enhancing its adherence.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Toronto, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5726029
• Journal Information: Infect. Immun.; (United States), Vol. 55:10
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ACTINOMYCES
ADHESION
CHEMICAL BONDS
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CARIES
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
CULTURE MEDIA
DENTISTRY
MICROSPHERES
SALIVA
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SCINTILLATION COUNTING
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
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DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
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MICROORGANISMS
MICROSCOPY
ORAL CAVITY
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
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