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Virulence of β-hemolytic and non-hemolytic Streptococcus mutans: lethal dose determinations in neonatal mice

  • Oral Microbiology
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Abstract

The virulence of β-hemolytic and non-hemolytic strains of Streptococcus mutans was studied in neonatal mice by LD50 determinations after intracerebral injection of the bacteria. Although the differences in LD50 values are small the results may indicate that β-hemolytic S. mutans strains (mean LD50 of 6.3×107 c.f.u.) were more virulent than non-hemolytic S. mutans strains (mean LD50 of 47.7×107 c.f.u.). The LD50 values of other viridans streptococci varied between 4.8 and 107 c.f.u. Strains of S. pyogenes and S. agalactiae were highly virulent in this animal model with LD50 values lower than 105 c.f.u.

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Woltjes, J., de Graaff, J. Virulence of β-hemolytic and non-hemolytic Streptococcus mutans: lethal dose determinations in neonatal mice. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 49, 353–360 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00399315

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