Exopolysaccharides of Streptococcus mutans Enhance Oral Colonisation and Drug Tolerance in Helicobacter pylori.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction and aims

The oral cavity is an extragastric reservoir for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), preventing its gastric eradication and causing recurrence. However, the oral environment is not ideal for H. pylori, and the factors facilitating oral H. pylori survival and colonisation are unclear. We explored how exopolysaccharides (EPSs), the fundamental building blocks of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilms, affect H. pylori colonisation and drug tolerance in the oral cavity.

Methods

The EPS contents of 3 S. mutans biofilms (UA159, UA159ΔgtfB, and UA159ΔgtfBC) were determined via confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). A coculture system of the H. pylori Sydney strain (SS1) and the 3 biofilms was established. The bacterial morphology and adhesive forces of th

SUBMITTER: Hao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12905768 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature