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Review
. 2024 Apr 10;16(1):2339161.
doi: 10.1080/20002297.2024.2339161. eCollection 2024.

Unveiling the complexity of early childhood caries: Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans cooperative strategies in carbohydrate metabolism and virulence

Pingping Jin  1 , Lu Wang  1 , Daozhen Chen  1 , Yu Chen  1
Affiliations
Review

Unveiling the complexity of early childhood caries: Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans cooperative strategies in carbohydrate metabolism and virulence

Pingping Jin et al. J Oral Microbiol. .

Abstract

Objective: To explore the mechanisms underlying the virulence changes in early childhood caries (ECC) caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), with a focus on carbohydrate metabolism and environmental acidification.

Methods: A review of literature was conducted to understand the symbiotic relationship between C. albicans and S. mutans, and their role in the pathogenesis of ECC. The review also examined how their interactions influence carbohydrate metabolism and environmental acidification in the oral cavity.

Results: C. albicans and S. mutans play crucial roles in the onset and progression of ECC. C. albicans promotes the adhesion and accumulation of S. mutans, while S. mutans creates an environment favorable for the growth of C. albicans. Their interactions, especially through carbohydrate metabolism, strengthen their pathogenic potential. The review highlights the importance of understanding these mechanisms for the development of effective management and treatment protocols for ECC.

Conclusion: The symbiotic relationship between C. albicans and S. mutans, and their interactions through carbohydrate metabolism and environmental acidification, are key factors in the pathogenesis of ECC. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective strategies to manage and treat ECC.

Keywords: Candida albicans; Early children caries; Streptococcus mutans; carbohydrate metabolism; oral.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Alteration of the Virulence of C. albicans effecting with S. mutans in the development of ECC. S. mutans prompt both the growth and pathogenesis of C. albicans in the oral via secreted and cell surface molecules. S. mutans secrete Glucosyltransferase that can attach firmly to the C. albicans cell wall that are critical for pathogenesis and virulence. EPSs present on the cell surface of S. mutans mediate the sugar metabolism transforming sucrose to glucan to sustain the virulence of S. mutans in the oral, which enhances their capacity to cariogenic. (Created with BioRender.com).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Model of the interplay between C. albicans, S. mutans, and Streptococcus parasanguinis/Lactobacillus plantarum in the human oral. S. mutans use GtfB to attach firmly to C. albicans to prompt each other’s growth which could regulate the carbohydrate metabolism and glycan biosynthesis. L. plantarum reduce the growth of both C. albicans and S. mutans; however, L. plantarum has also been shown to suppress the C. albicans virulence through the hyphal morphogenesis an·d inhibit the expression of GtfB of S. mutans. Like L. plantarum, S. parasanguinis also disturb the sugar metabolism and reduce the expression of GtfB of S. mutans. (Created with BioRender.com).
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Grants and funding

This project has received funding from the specific fund of Science and Technology Assistance to Qinghai (No. 2022-QY-216).

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