The antimicrobial efficacy of 'MGP' gutta-percha in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether 'MGP' gutta-percha (Westport, CT, USA), a commercially available gutta-percha containing iodoform, inhibits the growth of potential endodontic pathogens.


METHODS
Inocula of Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus sanguis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Actinomyces odontolyticus were spread onto the surface of agar plates. 'MGP' gutta-percha cones presoaked in sterile water were transferred to the inoculated agar and incubated at 37 degrees C aerobically or anaerobically as required for optimal growth. Identical studies were performed using iodoform-free gutta-percha and sterile paper disks saturated with 10% povidone-iodine. Following incubation, zones of inhibition around the 'MGP' gutta-percha, iodoform-free gutta-percha and disks were evaluated.


RESULTS
Povidone-iodine inhibited all the strains. Iodoform-free gutta-percha inhibited S. sanguis and A. odontolyticus. 'MGP' gutta-percha inhibited S. aureus, S. sanguis, A. odontolyticus and F. nucleatum. Neither iodoform-free gutta-percha nor 'MGP' gutta-percha inhibited growth of E. faecalis, E. coli or P. aeruginosa.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared to iodoform-free gutta-percha, iodoform-containing 'MGP' gutta-percha had an inhibitory effect in vitro on S. aureus and F. nucleatum, but not on E. faecalis, E. coli or P. aeruginosa.
Shur
A L
AL
Department of Cariology, Restorative Sciences and Endodontics, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, USA.
Sedgley
C M
CM
Fenno
J C
JC
D000190:Actinomyces / Q000187:drug effects; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D016967:Fusobacterium nucleatum / Q000187:drug effects; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006847:Hydrocarbons, Iodinated / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000187:drug effects; D013696:Temperature
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D006847:Hydrocarbons, Iodinated; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D006171:Gutta-Percha; C010473:iodoform