Immunoglobulin Yolk Deformation In The Human Oral Streptococci

Objectives:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the inhibitory effects of topical application of specific Immunoglobulin Yolk(fgY) against Mutans Streptococci on composition of dental plaque and saliva of humans. Methods: A total of 24 healthy adult volunteers were selected and randomly distributed into three experimental groups. After a supragingival scaling, the subjects were treated with an application of IgY containing spray (test group, n=9), a 0.15% chlorhexidine spray(positive control group, n~9) or a placebo Phosphate Buffered Saline(PBS) spray without any active ingredients(negative control group, n~6) three times daily for three weeks. Mixed saliva and pooled plaque samples from the smooth surfaces of teeth were collected for microbiologic analysis before administration (baseline~ day 0).. during treatment (days 7.. 14 and 21) and after withdrawal of the agents (days 28~ 42 and 56) and plaque index were recorded. Microbial cultivation were performed by serially diluting the samples with PBS solution and cultivating the a]iquots on Mitis Salivarius Agar (MS) and MS supplemented with bacitracin (MSB) for Oral streptococci and Mutans streptococci respectively. The plates were incubated at 37~C under microaerophilic condition(90%N2,10%CO.,) for 48 hot:rs. The number of colony-forming unit(CFU) per plate was counted and the percentage of Mutans Streptococci per Oral streptococci in dental plaque were determined. The effect of IgY on colonization of Mutans Streptococci were analyzed by an analysis of variance(ANOVA). Results: The plaque indexes remained unchanged~ but Mutans Streptococci in dental plaque was suppressed significantly following a short term(three weeks) application of IgY, and low level of Mutans Streptococci persisted for at least 5 weeks after withdrawal of IgY. There was no significant difference in the effects between the application of IgY and chlorhexidine(p>0.05). Counts of Mutans streptococci in saliva were temporarily suppressed during the time when IgY was used, and then restored to baseline level after termination. Conclusion: The results suggest that the immunization with specific immunoglobulin yolk against Jvlutans Streptococci could be used successfully for long term suppression of ~Xh~tans streptococci colonization in human dental plaque.