This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lai, C H Articles by Rosan, B Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lai, C H Articles by Rosan, B

Immunoelectron microscopic identification and localization of Streptococcus sanguis with peroxidase-labeled antibody: localization of Streptococcus sanguis in intact dental plaque.

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus sanguis has been localized ultrastructurally within intact dental plaque by means of an indirect technique which utilizes horseradish peroxidase-labeled antibody. The technique allows for complete diffusion of the reagents to all portions of the plaque specimens. Control procedures can be carried out on serial sections of plaque with a bacterial composition similar to that of the experimental specimen. The 30-mum-thick sections can be examined in the light microscope to localize areas specifically labeled with peroxidase prior to cutting ultra-thin sections for electron microscopy. This study demonstrated that specific bacteria can be localized within intact dental plaque. The results also indicated that S. sanguis grows in dental plaque as columnar shaped microcolonies perpendicular to the tooth surfaces. Growth appears to be by cell division rather than deposition of new cells at the surfaces. Despite their relatively good structural preservation, the cells in the deeper (older) layers of plaque appear to have lost some of their antigenic activity in comparison to the cells near the surface.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Kreft, J.-U. (2004). Biofilms promote altruism. Microbiology 150: 2751-2760 [Abstract] [Full Text]