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Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyse the serotype distribution of S. mutans and their association with caries activity in school children from Córdoba, Argentina., Materials and Methods: Clinical examination was performed in 133 children. The dmft+DMFT and Significant Caries (SiC) indices were calculated to identify individuals with high caries activity. After DNA extractions of S. mutans strains, serotypes were determined by PCR amplifications. The median caries activity of each serotype group was compared using a non-parametric Kruskall-Wallis test., Results: We obtained S. mutans strains from stimulated saliva of 94 children. The mean dmft+DMFT was 4.14 and the mean SiC index was 8.65. Serotype c was the most frequent (53.2%), followed by e (31.9%), f (8.5%) and k (6.4%). The comparison between the SiC and Non-Sic groups showed significant differences in the frequency of serotypes c and k. The median caries activity was non-significant in the different serotypes., Conclusion: The difference between the serotype frequencies detected in Argentina compared to those of other countries could be related with contrasting dietary habits. The results obtained in the present study would increase the knowledge about the epidemiology of dental caries in children from Argentina.

The present study involves the analysis of some saliva components (SC) and serum components in patients with oral candidosis topically treated with Ketoconazole 2% (K) or Nystatin 100,000 IU (N). Twenty-four male and female patients, age range 39-82 years, were included in the study. A double-blind study was undertaken in which the patients were divided into 2 treatment groups. These groups were compared with a control group (CG) of 16 healthy patients, both male and female, age-matched with the treated groups. The parameters evaluated were oral mucous membrane lesion index (MLI), CFU of Candida, saliva flow rate, protein-bound Fe (Fe-prot), Fe-prot binding capacity (Fe-prot cap), IgAs, peroxidase activity (PA), hypothiocyanite and thiocyanite. The values of Candida CFU and MLI were significantly reduced in patients treated with K and N. The pre-treatment values of SC as compared to the CG revealed a reduction in Fe-prot and Fe-prot cap. These parameters reach values similar to control towards the end of the treatment. The PA was significantly higher in candidosis patients and fell to control values with treatment. The other SC and serum components did not exhibit significant differences with the CG. Patients with oral candidosis treated locally exhibit not only an improvement in clinical manifestations but also a return to control values of altered SC.

A one-year longitudinal survey was carried out on a sample of the Cordoba City 4-year old kindergarten population (n = 820); so as to determine the role of several variables upon the incidence of caries. The dmf-t, dmf-s, oral hygiene and oral health indexes as well as incidence rates and caries relative risks of caries were inversely related to the socioeconomic level (SEL) of the children involved. Thus in the SEL III (typical proletariat, non-typical proletariat and sub-proletariat) children, the relative risk of caries was almost five times higher (RR = 4.9) than in the SEL I (entrepreneureal and managerial bourgeoisie) children. In SEL I, almost all new lesions occurred on smooth surfaces (61.2%), while in SEL III the molar occlusal faces were mainly affected (66.3%). Daily sugar intake was higher in SEL III children but experience of caries showed poor correlation to the amount (r = 0.40) and frequency (r = 0.52) of carbohydrate intake. No significant interlevel differences were observed in the biochemical salivary parameters analyzed. Assisted toothbrushing and fluoride topications strongly lowered the incidence of caries among SEL III children, also making the corresponding rates fall almost to SEL I values (0.31, 0.23 and 0.22 vs. 0.21). In conclusion, SEL III children should be treated prophylactically with effective preventive measures, because of their susceptibility to caries. Such preventive measures include assisted toothbrushing and fluoride topications.

The serum and saliva components of 36 chronic Candidosis patients, both male and female, ages 38-82 who attended the Department of Clinical Stomatology were studied. Total Mucous Lesion Index (TMLI) and salivary flow rate were assessed. The following parameters were evaluated: iron bound protein, unsaturated iron binding capacity, peroxidase activity, protein content, OSCN-, SCN-, IgAs, Candida and St. mutans levels and lactobacilli activity. Candidosis patients exhibited higher Candida CFU values and increased activity of the peroxidase system (p < 0.05) whereas unsaturated iron binding capacity was significantly lower as compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.05). Furthermore, TMLI and Candida CFU values were higher in diseased subjects wearing complete prosthesis as compared to those without complete prosthesis. Diseased subjects with < 1.2 ml/min salivary flow rate exhibited even greater differences with control. This subgroup exhibited a marked reduction in IgAs. The serum components assayed were iron bound protein, unsaturated iron binding capacity, IgG, IgA and IgM. Unsaturated iron binding capacity was significantly lower in the Candidosis group (p = 0.03). Subjects suffering from oral Candidosis display deficiencies in some of their saliva components, evidencing impaired oral defense capacity.

The oral health condition of children and youngsters with Down Syndrome (DS) was evaluated on a sample of 86 mongolic subjects ages 3 to 19, both sexes, residents in the city of Córdoba (Argentina), and compared with control groups. Those persons were attended special educational institutions for the care of that type of disabled individuals. In every age group, the dmf-t and dmf-s indexes were higher in the mongolic children than in the control population, while from the age of 10 onwards the DMF-T and DMF-S of the control population were higher than those of the DS individuals. In spite of this, the scarce participation of the DF component in the mentally disabled showed deficiencies in their dental care. This population exhibited a high frequency of retarded eruption, agenesis, conoidism, Angle's type III malocclusion, posterior cross bite and deficient gingival health. A positive correlation was found between tha activity of Lactobacillus and the amount of Streptococcus and the caries indicators. A high concentration of calcium and secretory IgA was found in the group of mongolic subjects. Our analysis evidences that DS patients are at a disadvantage in relation with healthy individuals in terms of oral health. An early program of preventive measures is proposed (dental hygiene, anti-plaque agents, Therapy of Orofacial Regulation) which would involve the education of parents and teachers.

An investigation undertaken into a sample of 1,115 five-year old children attending kindergartens in the city of Córdoba (Argentina) is described. The investigation aimed at establishing the prevalence and distribution of dental caries by socioeconomic level. Research showed that the prevalence of caries had decreased 55.0% in relation to the 1973 figure, while the proportion of children with healthy teeth was 26.7% greater. The frequency and seriousness of the caries increased as the child's social position declined. At the highest socioeconomic level NES I = entrepreneurial and managerial bourgeoisie), the rates of caries were significantly lower than those at the lowest socioeconomic level (NES III = typical proletariat, nontypical proletariat and sub-proletariat) presenting dmf-t of 0.8 and 2.7, and dmf-s of 0.9 and 4.9, respectively. In NES III, the dmf-t main components were decayed and missing teeth, while in NES I filled teeth were the main components. The proportion of children with no experience of caries was 63.1% in NES I and 11.5% in NES III. Inversly, the rate dental health was higher in NES I (8.8) than in NES III (5.1). The cost per child required for the restorative treatment in approximately two and a half times greater in NES III than in NES I. Considering the sample as a whole the expenditure required for NES III would be more than ten times higher than that required for NES I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)