A STUDY OF THE SIMULTANEOUS OCCURRENCE OF ENTEROCOCCI, LACTOBACILLI, AND YEASTS IN SALIVA FROM HUMAN BEINGS

¹ Department of Bacteriology, School of Dentistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa.

Enterococci were cultivable from the salivas of 45 of 206 persons (21.8 per cent). The order of the frequency of occurrence of the various species was Str. faecalis, Str. liquefaciens, and Str. zymogenes. The salivas from the age group 14 to 20 years were found to contain enterococci slightly more often and more consistently than the age groups 4 to 13 years and 21 years and over.

Isolation of enterococci from infected root canals was possible from 14.2 per cent of positive cultures and in many instances these organisms were cultivable simultaneously from the saliva of the same patient.

The occurrence of enterococci in saliva appears to be sufficiently frequent that the oral cavity should be considered as a possible reservoir of potentially pathogenic strains in addition to the intestinal tracts of humans and animals.

The significance of the mouth as a reservoir, in so far as food handlers are concerned, and the possible participation of enterococci in dental caries are discussed.