Meric, E.Bolgul, B.Duran, N.Ay, E.2024-09-182024-09-1820201591-996X2035-648Xhttps://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2020.21.01.03https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12483/9628Aim Oral streptococci were found to be associated with Early Childhood Caries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 6 different bacteria in the streptococcus group in the saliva of children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Materials and methods A total of 60 children between 3 and 6 years of age were divided into two groups: children with S-ECC (Group S-ECC; n=30) and children who were caries-free (Group CF; n=30), according to the dmft and dmft indices. Unstimulated saliva was collected from all participants for the detection of streptococcal group bacteria, including: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus salivarius, and Streptococcus sobrinus, using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of amplified 16S rRNA gene. The data were analysed using SPSS software. Results The prevalence of S. oralis was significantly higher in the S-ECC group compared to the CF group (p<0.05). However, the frequencies of S. mutans, S. sanguinis, S. gordonii, S. salivarius, and S. sobrinus were similar between the two groups (p>0.05). The amount of streptococci colonies was higher in the S-ECC group compared to the CF group (p<0.05). Conclusion S. mutans or S. sobrinus alone may not be the only indicators for high risk of caries, but the prevalence of S. oralis in saliva may be a risk factor for increased caries activity in S-ECC.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessEarly childhood cariesMicrobiologyPolymerase Chain ReactionSalivaStreptococciArticle211131710.23804/ejpd.2020.21.01.03321835222-s2.0-85082010233Q1WOS:000534428600002Q2