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. 1974 Jul;10(1):197–203. doi: 10.1128/iai.10.1.197-203.1974

Diminished Virulence of Glucan Synthesis-Defective Mutants of Streptococcus mutans

J M Tanzer 1,2,3, M L Freedman 1,2,3, R J Fitzgerald 1,2,3, R H Larson 1,2,3
PMCID: PMC414977  PMID: 4842127

Abstract

The virulence of cell surface-associated, glucan synthesis-defective mutants of Streptococcus mutans strain 6715-13 was studied. Representatives from three groups of such mutants were tested for their pathogenicity in conventionalized, specific pathogen-free rats and gnotobiotic rats. The mutants differ from the wild-type strain in that each failed to form plaque on the smooth surfaces of the teeth and to cause smooth surface caries. Although the ability to form cell surface-associated glucans was not a strict requirement for the expression of virulence in the sulci of the teeth, it augmented virulence at such sites. However, the ability to form cell surface-associated glucans and to adhere to the teeth was clearly not the sole determinant of virulence.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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