Mutans Streptococcal Transmission In Families

Introduction: Dental caries is an infectious, transmissible bacterial disease. Although, its modes of transmission include bacterial transfer in between individuals, its transmissibility has been variably reported much less within biological family units. The purpose of this study was to assess Mutans Streptococcal transmissibility from biological parents to child. Methods: A total of 57 families (comprising of parents and a child) were selected after screening all pediatric subjects visiting the hospital. Age-matched criteria as per WHO index groups were selected: a) Families of children with primary dentition (≤ 6 years) and b) Families of children with permanent dentition (12-16 years). Dental plaque was collected and MS colonies isolated and later on subjected to polymerase chain reaction using gtfB. Data obtained was subjected to descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test. Results: It was observed that positive correlation (2 bp) was obtained between father-child and mother-child pairs in families of children with carious primary dentitions while no such correlation was obtained among nondetectable caries affecting families of children with permanent dentition. Contrasting results were obtained for noncarious permanent dentitions families which revealed a positive correlation and vice versa. Conclusion: There was a opposite and different band expression in both dentitions as well as carious states reflecting variations in MS transmissible strains.