Protection against Dental Carries by Passive Immunization with Hen Egg Yolk Antibody Using Cell Associated Glucosyltransferase of Streptococcus mutans

Background: Dental caries is one of the most frequently encountered diseases. Of the oral bacteria, Streptococcus mutans is considered to be causative agent of dental caries in humans. Aim: This study aims at formulating a dental composition using Chicken Egg yolk Antibodies (IgY). Methodology: IgY was raised in 22 weeks old white leghorn chicken against CA-GTF antigen of Streptococcus mutans. The level of the antibody in serum was monitored and booster doses were given whenever necessary. The antibodies were purified from the egg yolk using PEG and Ammonium sulphate precipitation and DEAE cellulose ion exchange column chromatography. Results and discussion: High titre of more than 1:10000 antibodies were detected by Indirect ELISA at 150th day of observation. The IgY concentration in egg yolk was increased during the immunization period and reached maximum of 3.9 mg/ml. The minimum agglutination concentration of IgY against whole cell antigen of S. mutans was found to be 1:625. Similarly, when pre-immune IgY (control) were used no agglutination were observed. There was a decrease in Streptococcus mutans growth with increasing concentration of antibodies (IgY). The growth was not distinct when 25 μg/ml of IgY was added to the culture. Similarly, GTF activity was quantified by phenol-sulfuric acid method. Conclusion: Total glucan synthesis by cell-associated GTF preparation from Streptococcus mutans was significantly inhibited by the addition of antibodies to CA-GTF. This raises the possibility of conferring passive protection against Streptococcus mutans-induced dental caries by using IgY from the eggs of the hens hyperimmune to Streptococcus mutans CA-GTF antigen. IgY specific to Streptococcus mutans can prevent the tooth decay by immobilizing bacteria and disabling bacteria’s ability to convert sugar into acid, thereby preventing dental caries.