Identification of Enterococcus spp and Enterobacteriaceae in root canals with primary and secondary or persistent infection

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study was to identify microorganisms of the Enterococcus spp and Enterobacteriaceae species in teeth with infected root canals with primary and/or secondary/persistent infection. Methods: The sample of the present study consisted of 23 patients who required endodontic treatment or retreatment. Samples of 28 infected teeth were collected using sterile absorbent paper points, transported in saline solution, diluted, plated and incubated in a bacteriological culture oven. For the growth of microorganisms, jars with an anaerobic atmosphere generator were used. Microbial colonies were isolated, characterized and identified. The collected data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS for Windows 10.0 software (SPSS Inc., USA). Results: Only one strain of the genus Enterococcus spp was isolated, and no species of the genus Enterobacteriaceae. From the microbiological collections carried out in 28 root canals, all showed microbial growth in anaerobic conditions. Eighteen teeth had pulp necrosis and periapical lesion. The other 10 teeth had already received previous endodontic treatment and in 6 of them there was a periapical lesion, and in the other 4, no. Conclusion: Under the experimental conditions of the present study, it can be concluded that there was no correlation between the presence of microbial species of the Enterococcus sppand/or Enterobacteriaceae families with primary or secondary root canal infection.

Key Words: Enterococcus spp, Enterobacteriaceae, Dental Pulp Cavity, Endodontics.