Determinant factors of the epidemiology and transmissibility of the caries disease

Authors

  • Mônica Moreira
  • Mariane Moreira Poletto
  • Vânia Aparecida Vicente

Abstract

Due to the cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans, several studies have attempted to identify the source and the transmission of this bacterium in humans. Nowadays, DNA analysis based on genotypic traits offers a fast and accurate identification of the bacterium when compared to methods based only on the characterization of the phenotype. The goal of the present review is to demonstrate the evolution of the techniques in the study of the epidemiology and transmissibility of S. mutans. The results of several studies so far have allowed for the investigation of different populations in many social, economic, and cultural conditions, aiming at a better understanding of the epidemiological mechanisms and the intrafamilial transmission of mouth microorganisms.
UNITERMS: Streptococcus mutans; epidemiology; transmissibility.

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Published

2007-07-03

Issue

Section

Literature Review