Treatment of actinomyces naeslundii-related diseases with exogenous lactic bacteria strains

Abstract

A lactic bacteria strain that is exogenous to the oral microflora is selected for its ability to adhere the pellicle of the teeth and to produce a growth inhibition factor. This strain is used for the preparation of a composition intended for reducing dental plaque and for treating or preventing root caries and other diseases related to Actinomyces naeslundii in mammals.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for reducing dental plaque or for treating or preventing root caries or other diseases related to  Actinomyces naeslundii  in mammals which comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a lactic bacteria strain that is exogenous to the oral microflora, which strain is selected for its ability to adhere to teeth pellicle and to produce a growth inhibition factor, in a therapeutically effective amount.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lactic bacteria strain is of dairy origin.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lactic bacteria strain is selected from the group consisting of  Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis  subsp.  lactis,  and  Lactococcus lactis  subsp.  lactis biovar diacetylactis.    
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lactic bacteria strain is selected from the group consisting of the strains CNCM I-1984, CNCM I-1985, CNCM I-1986, CNCM I-1987.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bacteria strain is administered to the mammal in an edible composition.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the composition contains at least 10 4  to 10 9  cfu/g of the lactic bacteria strain.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the lactic bacteria strain is administered in combination with a bacteriocin.  
     
     
         8 . A method for making a composition that is effective for reducing dental plaque or for treating or preventing root caries or other diseases related to  Actinomyces naeslundii  in mammals which comprises incorporating in an edible composition a lactic bacteria strain that is exogenous to the oral microflora, which strain is selected for its ability to adhere to teeth pellicle and to produce a growth inhibition factor, and which is present in a therapeutically effective amount.  
     
     
         9 . A composition for maintaining mammal mouth health by reducing  Actinomyces naeslundii  colonization therein, the composition comprising at least one lactic bacteria strain that is exogenous to oral microflora, which strain is selected for its ability to adhere to teeth pellicle and to produce a growth inhibition factor, and which is present in a therapeutically effective amount.  
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 9 , further comprising a bacteriocin.  
     
     
         11 . The composition according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one lactic bacteria strain is selected from the group consisting of  Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactococcus lactis  subsp.  lactis,  and  Lactococcus lactis  subsp.  lactis biovar diacetylactis.    
     
     
         12 . The composition according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one lactic bacteria strain is selected from the group consisting of the strains CNCM I-1984, CNCM I-1985, CNCM 1-1986, CNCM 1-1987.  
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 11 , comprising at least 10 4 -10 9  cfu/g of the lactic bacteria strain.  
     
     
         14 . A method for the prevention or the treatment of  Actinomyces naeslundii -related diseases in mammals, which comprises administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of at least one lactic bacteria strain which is selected for its ability to adhere to teeth pellicle and to produce a growth inhibition factor.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one bacteria strain is administered for reducing dental plaque or for treating or preventing root caries.  
     
     
         16 . A method for the prevention or the treatment of  Actinomyces naeslundii -related diseases in mammals, which comprises administering to a mammal a composition according to  claim 9 .  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the at least one bacteria strain is administered for reducing dental plaque or for treating or preventing root caries.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the composition is administered by feeding it to the mammal.  
     
     
         19 . A dentifrice composition for maintaining mammal mouth health by reducing  Actinomyces naeslundii  colonization therein, the composition comprising at least one lactic bacteria strain that is exogenous to oral microflora, which strain is selected for its ability to adhere to teeth pellicle and to produce a growth inhibition factor, and which is present in a therapeutically effective amount.