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Evidence accumulated over many decades has clearly shown that Streptococcus mutans is a major agent in dental caries. S. mutans SpaP gene (Cell Surface Antigen) mediates the binding of these cariogenic bacteria to tooth surfaces. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of SpaP and vicR genes in non-biofilm forming Streptococcus mutant isolated from dental plaques. In this study, 120 clinical samples were obtained from different dental clinics and hospitals in Baghdad. 26 Bacterial isolates identified as Streptococcus mutans by using selective media (Mitis-salivarius agar) and microscopic examination after gram staining then confirmed S. mutans by molecular detection using SpaP genes. Interestingly all 26 isolates were non-biofilm forming after microtiter plate assay based on the crystal violet staining method, and negatively resulted for the detection of vicR gene which responsible for biofilm formation. 10 antibiotics (Doxycycline, Ofloxacin, Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Vancomycin, Clindamycin, Rifampicin, Imipenem, Amikacin and Cefepime) were used to examine sensitivity of S. mutans isolates, all isolates were multi-drugs resist (MDR) for all 10 antibiotics used. We can conclude that absence of biofilm forming ability does not affecting antibiotic resistance and virulence of Streptococcus mutance.
Aljubouri et al. (Wed,) studied this question.