The study on specific anti-Streptococcus mutans IgY against dental caries in rats / 华西口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of specific anti-streptococcus mutans IgY against streptococcus mutans on dental caries development in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>35 wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: group A received IgY gargle; group B received IgY lyophilized powder; group C received sterilized water as control; group D and E received egg yolk food with or without specific IgY individually. They were all fed with caries-inducing diet 2000#. The number of caries scores was counted by the procedure of Keyes'.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant lower mean of caries scores in groups treated with IgY lyophilized powder and gargle. By treating with egg-yolk food contained specific IgY, the mean of caries scores decreased comparing with no treatment group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Local passive immunization with specific anti-streptococcus mutans IgY may be an effective way to prevent the development of dental caries.</p>