New bacterial composition in primary and persistent/secondary endodontic infections with respect to clinical and radiographic findings.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to analyze the microbiota of primary and secondary/persistent endodontic infections of patients undergoing endodontic treatment with respect to clinical and radiographic findings.


METHODS
Samples from the root canals of 21 German patients were taken using 3 sequential sterile paper points. In the case of a root canal filling, gutta-percha was removed with sterile files, and samples were taken using sterile paper points. The samples were plated, and microorganisms were then isolated and identified morphologically by biochemical analysis and sequencing the 16S rRNA genes of isolated microorganisms.


RESULTS
In 12 of 21 root canals, 33 different species could be isolated. Six (50%) of the cases with isolated microorganisms were primary, and 6 (50%) cases were endodontic infections associated with root-filled teeth. Twelve of the isolated species were facultative anaerobic and 21 obligate anaerobic. Monomicrobial infections were found for Enterococcus faecalis and Actinomyces viscosus. E. faecalis was most frequently isolated in secondary endodontic infections (33%). Moraxella osloensis was isolated from a secondary endodontic infection that had an insufficient root canal filling accompanied by a mild sensation of pain. A new bacterial composition compromising Atopobium rimae, Anaerococcus prevotii, Pseudoramibacter alactolyticus, Dialister invisus, and Fusobacterium nucleatum was recovered from teeth with chronic apical abscesses.


CONCLUSIONS
New bacterial combinations were found and correlated to clinical and radiographic findings, particularly to chronic apical abscesses. M. osloensis was detected in root canals for the second time and only in German patients.
Medical Center, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Institute of Medial Microbiology and Hygiene, Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: christian.tennert@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
Christian
C
Tennert
Medical Center, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Institute of Medial Microbiology and Hygiene, Freiburg, Germany.
Maximilian
M
Fuhrmann
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Institute of Medial Microbiology and Hygiene, Freiburg, Germany.
Annette
A
Wittmer
Medical Center, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Institute of Medial Microbiology and Hygiene, Freiburg, Germany.
Lamprini
L
Karygianni
Medical Center, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Institute of Medial Microbiology and Hygiene, Freiburg, Germany.
Markus J
MJ
Altenburger
Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Institute of Medial Microbiology and Hygiene, Freiburg, Germany.
Klaus
K
Pelz
Medical Center, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Institute of Medial Microbiology and Hygiene, Freiburg, Germany.
Elmar
E
Hellwig
Medical Center, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Institute of Medial Microbiology and Hygiene, Freiburg, Germany.
Ali
A
Al-Ahmad
D039903:Actinobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016924:Actinomyces viscosus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005051:Eubacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005674:Fusobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D016967:Fusobacterium nucleatum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016965:Gram-Negative Anaerobic Straight, Curved, and Helical Rods / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D045828:Moraxellaceae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000032:analysis; D012008:Recurrence; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000382:microbiology*
D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
Apical periodontitis; dental trauma; endodontic infection; endodontic microorganisms; root canal treatment