METHOD FOR DETECTING AND QUANTIFYING CARIOGENIC BACTERIA

摘要

: A novel method for detecting and quantifying cariogenic bacteria is provided, said method being characterized by the following steps: (a) Streptococcus mutans in a sample to be examined is reacted with at least one polyclonal or monoclonal antibody having a specific reactivity to the microorganism; (b) the antibody bound to the microorganism is separated from the unbound antibody by filtration through a membrane filter; and (c) the bound antibody captured on the filter is detected by a suitable means. The present method enables to rapidly and conveniently detect S. mutans in a high sensitivity, without the need of selective cultivation of a sample before detection, and without the problem of decrease of survival rate of bacteria caused by the time-lag between collection of a sample from a subject and its detection.