[Comparative study of the adherence test and the Petry plaque count test of Streptococcus mutans in saliva].

The Streptococcus mutans counts--added to lactobacili depicting test--are an useful instrument in cariology when determining the risk groups. In studies concerning a large number of patients the S. Mutans count in saliva test are the most accesible. Nevertheless, they are very expensive and also complicate to carry out. Simplified techniques which depict S. Mutans on the basis of adherence tests have been perfected. The most suitable from them, taking into account our working conditions, is the Matsukubo test. We deemed it interesting to correlate this test and the Gold medium count. The study has been carried out with three different populations using both techniques at the same time. As per the correlation indices obtained we conclude that the Matsukubo technique and the count have a significant correlation between them. Due to its low cost, the simplicity of its realization, as well as its easy reading it can be effectively used as a primary procedure when studying populations large in number. Through this method selection will be made of the patients to be studied applying more precise microbiological techniques.