Enterococcus faecalis in dental root canals detected by culture and by polymerase chain reaction analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of Enterococcus faecalis in endodontic infections by culture and polymerase chain reaction analyses.


METHODS
Microbial samples were obtained from 50 teeth with untreated necrotic pulps (primary infection) and from 50 teeth with failing endodontic treatment (secondary infection). Culture techniques were used including serial dilution, plating, incubation, and biochemical identification. For PCR detection, samples were analyzed using a species-specific primer of the 16S rDNA and the downstream intergenic spacer region.


RESULTS
Culture and PCR detected the test species in 23 of 100 and 79 of 100 of the teeth, respectively. E faecalis was cultured from 2 (4%) of 50 necrotic canals and from 21 (42%) of 50 root-treated canals. PCR detection identified the target species in 41 (82%) and 38 (76%) of 50 primary and secondary infections respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
E faecalis was detected as frequently in teeth with necrotic pulp as in teeth with failing endodontic treatment when a PCR analysis was used.
Gomes
Brenda P F A
BP
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontic Area, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Piracicaba, Brazil. bpgomes@fop.unicamp.br
Pinheiro
Ericka T
ET
Sousa
Ezilmara L R
EL
Jacinto
Rogério C
RC
Zaia
Alexandre A
AA
Ferraz
Caio Cezar Randi
CC
de Souza-Filho
Francisco José
FJ
D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D021521:Ribotyping; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000382:microbiology