Molecular Microbiology and Immunobiology of Streptococcus Mutans [antikvár]

PREFACE The di scovery that Streptococcus mutáns is the major etiologic agent of dental caries has led to significant advances in our knowledge of this bac-terium and alsó to an understanding of specific mechanisms involved in host defense. The rapid expansion of the data base, the growing potential for impact on other disciplines, the need to bring together the international research community and the promise of rapid dissemination of the most recent findings, led to the consensus for holding the International Conference on Cellular, Molecular and Clinical Aspects of Streptococcus Mutáns. The clear need to summarize current knowledge regarding biochemical, genetic, taxonomic, ecologic, immunologic and clinical aspects of this bacterium, as well as the development of experimentál models for S. mutáns infection and induction of specific immunity for the agent, were of clear importance. Integration of knowledge in these areas was to be the precise aim of the international gathering held in Birmingham, Alabama on September 18-20, 1985. The conference, hosted by the University of Alabama School of Dentistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was divided into five separate, but related sessions: SESSION I covered the taxonomic and biochemical aspects of S. mutáns. SESSION II emphasized the unique virulence determinants and etiology of this bacterium which are of importance in the dental caries process. SESSION III reviewed the molecular biology of this bacterium, including cloning of S. mutáns virulence genes for use in host protection. SESSION IV covered the oral immunobiology of S. mutáns, including recent progress toward a caries vaccine. SESSION V addressed the clinical studies with S. mutáns and possible preventive measures. To accomplish the above, a conference committee was förmed composed of Drs. Shigeyuki Hamada, Lewis Menaker, Suzanne M. Michalek, Hiroshi Kiyono and Jerry R. McGhee. It was the charge of this group to organize the congress and develop the scientific program. To this end, forty-two i nternati onally recognized investigators representing seven countries were invited to speak at the meeting. Another 40 investigators submitted abstracts