HLA-DR4 and number of mutans streptococci in saliva among dental students and staff

Abstract

Our aim was to corroborate previous findings that HLA-DR4 carriers are characterized by higher levels of mutans streptococci in saliva than are individuals eqxessing other HLA-DR types. Of 68 subjects (dental students, staff, and faculty) who were sampled for salivary counts of mutans streptococci, 13 subjects with the lowest counts of mutans streptococci and 15 subjects with the highest counts were selected for HLA-typing. Of the 13 who expressed HL4-DR4, 8 were heady colonized by mutans streptococci. Although a trend towards a relationship was found between HLA-DR4 carriage and high levels of mutans streptococci, it was not statistically sigrdcant. In this selected population, hiowledge of how to minimize the risk of caries and mutans streptococci level may have influenced the results.

Key Words:

• Dental caries
• HLA-DR-antigens
• oral microbiology