Assessment of the microbiota in root canals of human primary teeth by checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vivo the prevalence of microorganisms in root canals of human primary teeth, by checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization.


METHODS
Fifty-five root canals of primary teeth with irreversible pulpitis (group 1) and 51 root canals of teeth with pulp necrosis and apical periodontitis (group 2) were selected. Microbiological samples were collected and submitted to checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization using 34 genomic DNA probes. The results were analyzed statistically by Mann-Whitney U-test at a 5% significance level.


RESULTS
The most prevalent species in group 1 were: (1) Campylobacter rectus (87%); (2) Gemella morbilorum (78%); (3) Streptococcus gordonii (71%); (4) Capnocytophaga ochracea (69%); (5) Treponema denticola (58%); and (6) Streptococcus intermedius (49%). The most prevalent species in group 2 were: (1) C. rectus (90%); (2) T. denticola (88%); (3) S. intermedius (77%); (4) G. morbilorum (73%); (5) Streptococcus oralis (67%); (6) C. ochracea (63%); (7) S. gordonii (55%); (8) Streptococcus mitis (51%); and (9) Leptotrichia buccalis (51%). Except for Peptostreptococcus micros and Actinomyces israelii, the most prevalent bacterial strains in the root canals with apical periodontitis were also those found in larger numbers (P<.05). Groups 1 and 2 differed significantly (P<.05) regarding the total number of bacterial cells detected in the root canal samples, with group 2 showing remarkably larger bacterial cell numbers.


CONCLUSIONS
Root canals of primary teeth have a great bacterial diversity, characterizing a polymicrobial endodontic infection with presence of: (1) anaerobic and facultative micro organisms; (2) black-pigmented rods; and (3) streptococci. A large number of anaerobic species were detected in teeth with necrotic pulp and apical periodontitis, and a significantly smaller number of bacterial cells were found in teeth with irreversible pulpitis.
Ruviére
Denise Belucio
DB
Department of Pediatric Clinics, Preventive and Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirãvo Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Leonardo
Mário Roberto
MR
da Silva
Léa Assed Bezerra
LA
Ito
Izabel Yoko
IY
Nelson-Filho
Paulo
P
D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D003790:Dental Pulp Necrosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000382:microbiology*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial