Basic Biological Sciences

Abstract

The colonization of S. mutans serotypes on different tooth surfaces of the rat was investigated. Fissures appeared to be the main habitat. In the presence of a serotype c strain, S. mutans serotype d could only be established when sucrose-containing diets were supplied. However, the serotype c strain was always present in higher proportions. The production of a bacteriocin for which the serotype d strain was sensitive appeared to be responsible for the observed predominance of the serotype c strain.