Screening, Isolation and Identification of Lactobacillus Species from Dental Caries of Children

Abstract

Caries is a chronic disease that progresses slowly and is characterized by localized and irreversible destruction of the tooth. The microbial community of dental caries with many of the facultatively and obligately anaerobic bacteria, Lactobacillus have been consistently associated with dental caries for decades. The aim of this study was the isolation and characterization of Lactobacillus species, which are commonly present on the surface of dental caries of children. Forty saliva samples were collected from the surface of dental caries of children by using swabbing method, this saliva used to microbiological analysis. Physiological, morphological and biochemical test were used for identification of Lactobacillus species. 113 bacterial isolate were isolated from 40 saliva samples of children. In the all isolate five species of Lactobacillus namely L. acidophilus (24), L. rhamnosus (29), L. cacei (17), L. plantarum (21), L. fermentus (22) were identified on the bases of biochemical tests and sugars utilization pattern. Lactobacillus rhamnosus was the most frequently identified species of microorganism among the populations of children with caries.