title: Aspergillus in endodontic infection near the maxillary sinus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diseases of the maxillary sinus have been associated with dental roots near the maxillary sinus that have undergone endodontic treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the presence of filamentous fungi in patients with dental roots near the maxillary sinus who had apical periodontitis treated endodontically, and to alert practitioners that this could be a possible avenue of contamination of the sinus in patients who develop maxillary sinus infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study in 60 palatal roots of the first maxillary molars near the maxillary sinus, that underwent endodontic treatment for apical periodontitis. After removal of the filling material, dentin shavings were collected and placed in test tubes containing Sabouraud dextrose agar and chloramphenicol. The phenotype was determined by macroscopic and microscopic examination of the colonies. For polymerase chain reaction, the primers ITS-5 and ITS-4 were used. The sequences obtained were compared with those deposited at GenBank using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Filamentous fungi were isolated from 6 of 60 canals (10%): Aspergillus niger (6.7%), Aspergillus versicolor (1.6%), and Aspergillus fumigatus (1.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Root canals near the maxillary sinus with endodontic treatment and apical periodontitis may exhibit positive cultures for filamentous fungi. Interested professionals should be alert, because these microorganisms have pathogenic characteristics that can cause disease of odontogenic origin in the maxillary sinus.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Campus Nova Friburgo, Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: cinthyagomes@id.uff.br.
authors.forename: Cinthya Cristina
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Campus Nova Friburgo, Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Larissa Christina Costa
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda Loretti
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Victor
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Campus Nova Friburgo, Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Erlange Andrade Borges da
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Campus Nova Friburgo, Nova Friburgo, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Apoena de Aguiar
authors.initials: Ade A
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Inês de Moura
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Sarquis
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Isabel Coelho Gomes
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Camões
mesh_terms: D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000382:microbiology*; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Aspergillus; Endodontia; Endodontics; Infection; Infecção; Maxillary sinus; Seio maxilar