Quantity of the antigens of Streptococcus mutans serotype e and Candida albicans and its correlation with the salivary flow rate in early childhood caries

BackgroundStreptococcus mutans involved in caries pathogenesis is classified into four serotypes, namely serotypes c, e, f, and k. Candida albicans can be found in the plaque of children with early childhood caries (ECC). Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the quantity of the antigens of S. mutans serotype e and C. albicans and its correlation with the salivary flow rate in ECC. Materials and MethodsThe antigen quantities of caries plaque samples and caries-free were determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay with 450-nm optical density. ResultsThere was a significant difference between the quantity of S. mutans serotype e and C. albicans antigens in each salivary flow rate category (P < 0.05). The relationship between the antigen quantity of S. mutans serotype e and C. albicans was r = 0.624 (P > 0.05) for caries plaque samples and r = 0.628 (P > 0.05) for caries-free samples. Conclusionthe antigen quantities of S. mutans serotype e and C. albicans and the salivary flow rate might correlate to the pathogenesis of ECC.