Comparison of the Plaque Microflora in Immunodeficient and Immunocompetent Dental Patients

The nature and extent of the immune dysfunctions in 20 immunodeficient patients, as well as the immunocompetence of 22 control subjects, were verified by cell-mediated responsiveness and immunoglobulin quantitations. Comparisons of the microbial composition of supragingival plaque between the two populations showed that a greater number of immunodefcient than control subjects harbored Candida sp. and Staphylococcus sp. Conversely, a lower number of immunodeficient than control subjects harbored Streptococcus mutans. Also, patients with immune dysfunctions had a lower dental caries experience than their immunocompetent counterparts.