title: Detection of Treponema denticola in endodontic infections by 16S rRNA gene-directed polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: A 16S rDNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to detect the occurrence of Treponema denticola in root canal infections. Samples were collected from 21 single-root teeth having carious lesions, necrotic pulps and radiographic evidences of periradicular bone loss. DNA extracted from the samples was amplified using the PCR assay, which yielded specific fragment of T. denticola 16S rDNA. T. denticola was detected in 11 of 21 cases (52.4%), regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms. Since this spirochete was found in a relatively high percentage of the endodontic infections examined and because it is a pathogenic microorganism involved in periodontal diseases, there are reasons to believe that T. denticola can also participate in the pathogenesis of periradicular lesions of endodontic origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.forename: I N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Rôças
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Favieri
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000382:microbiology; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014208:Treponema / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development; D014211:Treponemal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S