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  • Title: [Anticaries vaccination: present and future prospects].
    Author: Mosci F, Marconi PF.
    Journal: Minerva Stomatol; 1989 Mar; 38(3):379-88. PubMed ID: 2657371.
    Abstract:
    Despite the encouraging decline in dental caries observed in recent years in many populations, millions of children still risk tooth decay. Along with established methods of prevention, caries vaccines have the potential of making a highly valuable contribution to disease control. Compelling evidence has shown that Streptococcus mutans is the principal etiologic agent of dental caries, therefore a vaccine directed to this microorganism could significantly reduce the caries incidence. In experimental models with rodents, both peroral and parenteral immunization have provided protection against S. mutans infection and dental caries. In primates only parenteral immunization has given positive results, and there have been conflicting results in studies on human peroral immunization. Presently there is no conclusive evidence which shows that antibodies to S. mutans can protect against dental caries in humans. Among the S. mutans antigens that could be used as a vaccine, only some protein antigens have given protection in primates. One of these has been produced in large amounts and is ready for testing in humans. Another antigen, the enzyme complex glucosyltransferase, has shown protection in rodents and the effect of peroral administration of this antigen is now being tested in humans. While awaiting results of clinical trials with available vaccines, much additional experimental work is needed to understand the complex phenomenon of caries. New information will permit the development of more efficacious vaccines against the caries.
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