Sustained effects of blue light on Streptococcus mutans in regrown biofilm

• Published in: Lasers in medical science Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 445 - 452
• Main Authors: Cohen-Berneron, Julie, Steinberg, Doron, Featherstone, John D. B., Feuerstein, Osnat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01-04-2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antimicrobial agents; Bacteria; Biofilms; Biofilms - growth & development; Biofilms - radiation effects; Confocal; Dental caries; Dental Caries - microbiology; Dental research; Dentistry; Exposure; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Lasers; Light; Light-emitting diodes; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Microbial Viability - radiation effects; Microscopy, Confocal; Optical Devices; Optics; Original Article; Photonics; Quantum Optics; Streptococcus; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus mutans - growth & development; Streptococcus mutans - radiation effects; Viability; Extracellular polysaccharide; Visible light; Caries; Acid production; Virulence factors; Antibacterial effect
• ISSN: 0268-8921; 1435-604X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-016-1873-3

In prior studies, exposure of
Streptococcus mutans
in biofilm to blue light using high fluences of up to 680 J/cm
2
did not interfere with bacterial capability to reform an initial biofilm; however, a delayed antibacterial effect was observed. Our aim was to determine the sustained effecttts of blue light-emitting diode (LED) curing light on the pathogenicity of the newly formed biofilm.
S. mutans
were grown to form biofilm that was exposed to blue light (wavelengths, 460–480 nm) for 1, 3, and 7 min (equivalent to 37, 112, and 262 J/cm
2
, respectively). Then, bacteria were suspended and allowed to regrow into new biofilms. The regrown biofilms were assessed for bacterial quantification by optical density (OD) measurement and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), bacterial viability and extracellular polysaccharide production by fluorescent staining using confocal scanning laser microscopy, acid production by bacteria (acidogenicity), and bacterial survival at low pH (aciduricity) using qPCR. Bacterial growth in the regrown biofilms was increased when samples were previously exposed to light; however, under the confocal microscopy, a higher proportion of dead bacteria and a reduction in polysaccharide production were observed. The acidogenicity from the regrown biofilm was lowered as fluences of light increased. The aciduricity of the regrown biofilm was decreased, meaning less growth of bacteria into biofilm in low pH with increasing fluences. Blue light has sustained effects on
S. mutans
bacteria grown into new biofilm. Although bacterial growth in biofilm increased, bacterial viability and virulence characteristics were impaired. The cariogenic potential over time of
S. mutans
previously exposed to blue light when grown on tooth surfaces is yet to be determined.