USE OF GERMFREE ANIMALS IN THE STUDY OF DENTAL CARIES.
Abstract
Over the years, it has been possible to demonstrate that in the complete absence of all bacteria, germfree rats could not develop dental decay even though ingesting a caries-inducing diet for as long as 150 days when the early experiments were terminated. Later, in the presence of an enterococcus (Streptococcus sp) isolated from a rat in the external environment and with dental caries, otherwise germfree rats developed caries, though a longer time period was involved. Both in one early group of rats, as well as in several later groups of otherwise germfree rats inoculated with a lactobacillus strain, originally isolated from a human mouth with caries, dental caries did occur in some rats' molar teeth, but especially so in subsequent generations of rats living in such a lactobacillus environment. Inoculated leptotrichia-like filamentous bacteria were difficult to establish and failed to induce caries in otherwise germfree (gnotobiotic) rats. Finally, in recently-observed animals maintained their life span on caries-inducing diets, no dental decay could be detected, thus conclusively demonstrating the etiological relationship of bacteria and dental caries in this kind of unique study. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 07, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0657859
Entities
People
- Frank J. Orland
- Morris Wagner
- Virginia M. Carbonell
Organizations
- University of Chicago