Early Colonization of Mutans Streptococci in Thai children aged 2-36 months old
Abstract
Purpose: To determine the timing of colonization of Mutans Streptococci (MS) in Thai children aged 2-36 months old.
Methods: Two hundred and two children aged 2-36 months old were divided into 3 groups: group 1 consisted of 84 predentate children, group 2 consisted of 68 children with 1-8 erupted teeth and group 3 consisted of 50 children with 9-20 erupted teeth. Microbiological samples were obtained from children by cotton swab. Samples were diluted and plated on Mitis Salivarius agar supplemented with Bacitracin (MSB) for selection and enumeration of MS.
Results: MS colonization was found in 26% of children, which had a mean age of 20.5±10.3 months. MS colonization was detected in 5% of predentate children and was detected in children as young as 2 months old. The percentage of children who were colonized with MS increased significantly with increasing age and numbers of erupted teeth (P<0.001).
Conclusions: MS colonization in Thai children aged 2-36 months old was found in predentate children and was detected in children as young as 2 months old. The results suggest that prevention of early MS colonization in some populations may need to initiate prior to tooth eruption.
