Microbial composition of monkey dental plaque (Macaca arctoides and Macaca fascicularis)

Abstract

The supragingival and subgingival dental plaque flora [including Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Neisseria, Veillonella, Actinomyces, Lactobacillus, Propjonibacterium, Eikenella, Bacteriodes, Fusobacterium and Leptotrichia] of M. arctoides and M. fascicularis monkeys were examined using mylar strip impressions, direct smears and culture techniques. In smears, samples generally contained 40-50% cocci, 20-30% rods, 8-20% fusiform bacteria and 4-5% each of filaments, vibrios and spirochetes. Differences in the ratios of the various bacterial groups related to age and sex were found. Several monkey bacterial species were similar to those in human dental plaque. The Macaca female monkey might be a suitable animal model for the experimental studies of dental diseases.