Abstract: PLS antigens I and II are derived from the pili-like structures on the cell wall of Human type Streptococcus mutans of the serotypes c, e, f and g and the serotype d, respectively and capable of specifically inhibiting the adherence (infection) of the corresponding strains to the teeth of humans. These antigens are a kind of glycoprotein comprising protein (about 15-25%) and carbohydrates (about 75-85%) and have a molecular weight of about 60,000-90,000. It is possible to isolate these antigen by extracting the intact cells in a hypertonic buffer solution at a pH of 6-8 and at a temperature below the denaturing point of the antigenic protein and fractionating the resultant antigen from the extract thereby obtained. A non-cariogenic vaccine comprises as antigen PLS antigens I and/or II. Non-cariogenic antibodies may be obtained by immunizing a mammal with PLS antigens I and/or II to produce the corresponding antibodies in the body of the mammal and recovering the resultant antibodies from the mammal.

Abstract: Non-cariogenic composition, which comprises as active ingredient the living cells of a Human type strain of Streptococcus mutans capable of inhibiting the growth of cariogenic strains of S. mutans and incapable of inducing dental caries, in association with a carrier or excipient suitable for oral administration, said strains of S. mutans being isolated from the oral cavity of humans as naturally-occuring strains. The non-cariogenic composition may be administered orally in the form of liquid, semi-solid or solid compositions, preferably in the form of yogurts containing edible lactic acid-producing bacilli or in the form of a freeze-dried composition containing such edible lactic acid-producing bacilli. The non-cariogenic composition may prevent or at least inhibit human dental caries induced by cariogenic S. mutans and moreover effective against other cariogenic oral bacilli such as edible lactic acid-producing bacilli known per se.

Abstract: Non-cariogenic composition, which comprises as active ingredient the living cells of a Human type strain of Streptococcus mutans capable of inhibiting the growth of cariogenic strains of S. mutans and incapable of inducing dental caries, in association with a carrier or excipient suitable for oral administration, said strains of S. mutans being isolated from the oral cavity of humans as naturally-ocuring strains. The non-cariogenic composition may be administered orally in the form of liquid, semi-solid or solid compositions, preferably in the form of yougurts containing edible lactic acid-producing bacilli or in the form of a freeze-dried composition containing such edible lactic acid-producing bacilli. The non-cariogenic composition may prevent or at least inhibit human dental caries induced by cariogenic S. mutans and moreover effective against other cariogenic oral bacilli such as edible lactic acid-producing bacilli known per se.

Abstract: A vaccine, comprising as antigen, at least a part of the cell of strains of Streptococcus sanguis having a high pathogenic potential and capable of decomposing raffinose and mellibiose, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Preferably, the antigen is derived from the pili-like structures on the surface layer of the cells. Antibodies produced by immunizing a mammal with said antigen to produce the corresponding antibodies in the body of said mammal and recovering the resultant antibodies from the mammal. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising as active ingredient said antibodies, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. Said vaccine, antibodies and antibody-containing composition may be used for treating human and animal diseases caused or aggravated by said microorganisms such as MCLS.

Abstract: A vaccine for preventing or at least inhibiting periodontitis of humans and animals, which is induced or deteriorated by the action of oral microorganisms, which comprises an antigen isolated from the pili of an oral microorganism capable of inducing and/or deteriorating periodontitis and having the pili on the cell surface. For example, antigens isolated from the pili of Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii, Actinobacillus actinomycem comitans, Bacteroides gingivalus and mutant strains thereof may be used solely or in combination for the preparation of the present vaccine. In one embodiment, the vaccine comprises an antigen isolated from the pili of Actinomyces viscosus which is a representative periodontitis-inducing oral microorganisms in association with one or more other antigens isolated from other virulent oral microorganisms.