S. mutans interacts with other pathogens under oxidative stress by which mechanism?

S. mutans interacts with other pathogens under oxidative stress by which mechanism?

• A. Quorum Sensing
• B. Coaggregate
• C. Biofilm Dispersion
• D. Secrete Toxins

Answer: (B)

In dental biofilms, interactions between S. mutans and other pathogens under stress occur through coaggregation, a direct physical adhesion between different species. This involves specific adhesins on the surface of one bacterium recognizing complementary receptors on a neighboring species, pulling cells into close, stable contact. Under oxidative stress, changes in cell surface properties and upregulation of adhesion factors can enhance these heterotypic contacts, enabling mixed-species communities to form and endure the stressful conditions together. While signaling mechanisms like quorum sensing influence how bacteria coordinate behavior in a biofilm, the mechanism described here is the physical adherence between species. Biofilm dispersion refers to cells leaving a biofilm, and toxin secretion describes actively harming neighbors, which aren’t the primary ways S. mutans interacts with other pathogens under oxidative stress.

In dental biofilms, interactions between S. mutans and other pathogens under stress occur through coaggregation, a direct physical adhesion between different species. This involves specific adhesins on the surface of one bacterium recognizing complementary receptors on a neighboring species, pulling cells into close, stable contact. Under oxidative stress, changes in cell surface properties and upregulation of adhesion factors can enhance these heterotypic contacts, enabling mixed-species communities to form and endure the stressful conditions together. While signaling mechanisms like quorum sensing influence how bacteria coordinate behavior in a biofilm, the mechanism described here is the physical adherence between species. Biofilm dispersion refers to cells leaving a biofilm, and toxin secretion describes actively harming neighbors, which aren’t the primary ways S. mutans interacts with other pathogens under oxidative stress.