title: Molecular analysis of Filifactor alocis, Tannerella forsythia, and treponema denticola associated with primary endodontic infections and failed endodontic treatment.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of strict anaerobes such as Filifactor alocis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola in primary and secondary root-infected canals with periapical lesions by molecular analysis and the association of these species with specific endodontic signs and symptoms. Microbial samples were taken from 100 root canals, 50 with necrotic pulp tissues (NPT, primary infection), and 50 with failed endodontic treatment (FET, secondary infection). DNA was extracted from the samples, which were analyzed for the presence of three endodontic pathogens using species-specific primers and PCR. F. alocis were isolated from 23 canals with NPT and 12 canals with FET; T. forsythia from 12 canals with NPT and three canals with FET; T. denticola from 19 canals with NPT and 12 canals with TEP. Suggested associations were found between primary infection and the presence of F. alocis and T. forsythia (both p < 0.05). In particular, associations were found between: pain and F. alocis; swelling and F. alocis; tenderness to percussion and T. forsythia; mobility and T. forsythia and T. denticola; wet canals and F. alocis, T. forsythia, and T. denticola; purulent exsudate and F. alocis, T. forsythia and T. denticola; abscess and F. alocis, T. forsythia, and T. denticola (all p < 0.05). The findings of this study indicated that F. alocis, T. forsythia, and T. denticola seem to be associated with endodontic signs and symptoms. Additionally, F. alocis and T. forsythia were detected more frequently in teeth with necrotic pulp than in teeth with failing endodontic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontic Area, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. bpgomes@fop.unicamp.br
authors.forename: Brenda P F A
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Rogério C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Jacinto
authors.forename: Ericka T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Ezilmara L R
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Alexandre A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Zaia
authors.forename: Caio C R
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ferraz
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Souza-Filho
mesh_terms: D001439:Bacteroides / Q000145:classification*; D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000382:microbiology; D004487:Edema / Q000382:microbiology; D005673:Fusobacterium / Q000145:classification*; D005674:Fusobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000382:microbiology; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012390:Root Canal Therapy; D013492:Suppuration; D014086:Tooth Mobility / Q000382:microbiology; D017211:Treatment Failure; D048373:Treponema denticola / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014211:Treponemal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial