Detection of Porphyromonas endodontalis in infected root canals by 16S rRNA gene-directed polymerase chain reaction.
Porphyromonas endodontalis has been isolated from the endodontic infections mainly in symptomatic teeth. This study evaluated the occurrence of P. endodontalis in both symptomatic and asymptomatic endodontic infections using 16S rRNA gene-directed polymerase chain reaction. P. endodontalis was detected in 39.5% of the cases (17 of 43 teeth). It was present in 4 of the 6 cases with acute periradicular abscess (66.7%) and in 13 of the 37 other cases (35.1%). The presence of P. endodontalis was associated with an asymptomatic periradicular lesion in 6 cases (25%) and in 10 teeth with tenderness to percussion (52.6%). P. endodontalis was also found in one asymptomatic case without evidence of periradicular pathosis. Our results indicated that, although P. endodontalis is commonly detected in symptomatic cases, it can be present in asymptomatic root canal infections. Further studies should determine if this bacterial species is really an important endodontopathogen.
Machado de Oliveira
J C
JC
Department of Dentistry, Estácio de Sá University, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Siqueira
J F
JF
Alves
G B
GB
Hirata
R
R
Andrade
A F
AF
D000328:Adult; D016866:Bacteroidaceae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology; D003751:Dental Fistula / Q000382:microbiology; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000382:microbiology; D005784:Gene Amplification; D005798:Genes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D018720:Prevotella / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S