TABLE 4.

Influence of pknB and pppL deletion on smooth-surface plaque extent, initial and advanced dentinal fissure lesions, smooth-surface caries, and colonization properties

Group (infecting strain)	Scorea for:				Totala (log CFU)
	Plaque extentb	Initial dentinal fissuresc	Advanced dentinal fissuresc	Smooth-surface cariesd	Bacteria	Streptococci	S. mutans bacteria
1 (none [water control])	2.8 ± 0.63***	9.5 ± 1.72***	6.6 ± 2.80***	0.5 ± 0.97***	7.6 ± 0.23	7.3 ± 0.33	ND***e
2 (wild type)	1.5 ± 0.53	12.0 ± 0.00	11.2 ± 1.14	6.8 ± 4.34	7.5 ± 0.38	7.4 ± 0.36	7.2 ± 0.46
3 (EA72)	2.6 ± 0.52***	10.9 ± 0.99*	9.5 ± 0.71*	1.4 ± 2.07**	7.7 ± 0.26	7.6 ± 0.26	5.6 ± 2.97
4 (EA74)	2.6 ± 0.84***	11.5 ± 0.71	9.6 ± 1.17*	4.4 ± 3.89	7.3 ± 0.27*	7.2 ± 0.34	6.4 ± 0.75
5 (EA75)	2.7 ± 0.48***	10.9 ± 1.10*	9.0 ± 1.33**	1.6 ± 1.51**	7.7 ± 0.18	7.5 ± 0.20	5.4 ± 2.92

^a***, P < 0.001; **, P < 0.01; *, P < 0.05. All groups were compared with group 2 (wild type).

^bFour units at risk.

^cTwelve fissures at risk.

^dTwenty units at risk.

^eND, not detectable.