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. 1976 Sep;14(3):667–670. doi: 10.1128/iai.14.3.667-670.1976

Serological and genetic examination of some nontypical Streptococcus mutans strains.

A L Coykendall, D Bratthall, K O'Connor, R A Dvarskas
PMCID: PMC420938  PMID: 965091

Abstract

Thirty-four strains of Streptococcus mutans whose antigenic or genetic positions were unclear or unknown with respect to the serological scheme of Bratthall (1970) and Perch et al. (1974), or the genetic (deoxyribonucleic acid base sequence homology) scheme of Coykendall were analyzed to clarify their relationship to previously well-characterized strains. Strain OMZ175 of the "new" serotype f was genetically homologous with strains of S. mutans subsp. mutans. Strains of the "new" serotype g were homologous with serotype d strains (S. mutans subsp. sobrinus). Strains isolated from wild rats constituted a new genetic group but carried the c antigen. Thus, strains within a "genospecies" (subspecies) of S. mutans may not always carry a unique or characteristic antigen. We suggest that the existence of multiple serotypes within subspecies represents antigenic variation and adaptations to hosts.

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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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