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Vitality status of microorganisms in infected human root dentine
Author(s) -
Weiger R.,
De Lucena J.,
Decker H. E.,
Löst C.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2002.00465.x
Subject(s) - calcium hydroxide , enterococcus faecalis , bacteria , streptococcus sanguinis , root canal , microbiology and biotechnology , microorganism , streptococcus , dentistry , dentinal tubule , biology , streptococcus mutans , dentin , chemistry , medicine , staphylococcus aureus , genetics
Aim This experimental study was initiated to establish a method for characterizing the vitality status of bacteria in infected human root dentine by differentiating between viable and dead microorganisms. Methodology Twenty‐four root segments of extracted human teeth were infected with either Streptococcus sanguinis or Enterococcus faecalis for 8 weeks. Baseline samples from root dentine (rd) were collected after 4 weeks. These were compared with samples taken at week 8 (control group: n = 12) and with samples collected at week 12 after calcium hydroxide treatment for four weeks (test group: n = 12). After marking viable and dead bacterial cells by two fluorescent dyes, the portion of viable bacteria (PVB) was determined, as well as the number of colony‐forming units (CFU). Results Viable and dead bacteria were identified in all ‘rd’ samples. PVB rd values were lower than PVB values of the bacterial suspension in the root canal lumen. In the control group, PVB rd and CFU rd did not markedly differ at week 4 and at week 8, regardless of the strain used. In the test group, viable but non‐culturable sanguinis streptococci (mean PVB rd = 27%; CFU rd = 0) were detected, despite calcium hydroxide treatment. The viability of E. faecalis was not affected by calcium hydroxide. Conclusions Fluorescence labelling of bacteria in human root dentine gives valuable additional information about their vitality status compared to the parameter CFU. The method may be suitable for following the fate of bacteria in dentinal tubules, for example in the presence of intracanal dressings.