A BACTERIOLYTIC AGENT IN SALIVARY GLOBULIN OF CARIES-IMMUNE HUMAN BEINGS

¹ College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

A bacteriolytic factor was found in saliva of caries-immune human beings which was absent in most caries-susceptible salivas. The factor was found to be active against lactobacilli and streptococci, and exerted its lytic effect apparently upon cells commencing the process of division. The salivary factor had a number of effects on cultures of lactobacilli, which seemed to reduce the cariogenic potential of the organisms.

The factor could be adsorbed from saliva by lactobacillus cells and thereafter eluted from the cells in active condition. The physical properties of the factor indicated that it is a protein, and electrophoretic analyses and solubility studies showed that it was associated with the globulin fraction of saliva. The specificities and properties of the factor resemble those of some antibacterial factors in serum, and differentiate this factor from most of the salivary antibacterial principles that have recently been reported.