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Microbiological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of infected root canals associated with periapical abscesses

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Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to identify microorganisms from root canals with periapical abscesses and assess the susceptibility of specific anaerobic bacteria to selected antimicrobials and their β-lactamase production. Sixty root canals were microbiologically investigated. The susceptibility of Anaerococcus prevotii, Fusobacterium necrophorum, F. nucleatum, Parvimonas micra, and Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens to antimicrobials was evaluated with the Etest, whereas β-lactamase production was assessed with nitrocefin. A total of 287 different bacterial strains were recovered, including 201 strict anaerobes. The most frequently strict isolated anaerobes were A. prevotii, P. micra, and F. necrophorum. The selected bacteria were susceptible to all the tested antibiotics, except A. prevotii and Fusobacterium species to azithromycin and erythromycin, as well as A. prevotii and F. necrophorum to metronidazole. None of the microorganisms produced β-lactamase. Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria predominated in the root canals with periapical abscesses. All microorganisms tested were susceptible to benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanate, cefaclor, and clindamycin, producing no β-lactamase.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Brazilian agencies FAPESP and CNPq.

Conflict of interest

The authors deny any conflicts of interest. We affirm that we have no financial affiliation (e.g., employment, direct payment, stock holdings, retainers, consultantships, patent licensing arrangements, or honoraria) or involvement with any commercial organization with direct financial interest in the subject or materials discussed in this manuscript, nor have any such arrangements existed in the past 3 years. Any other potential conflict of interest is disclosed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Conservative Dentistry, Endodontics Division, Pelotas School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil

    E. L. R. Sousa & R. C. Jacinto

  2. Department of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics Division, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Av. Limeira 901., Bairro Areiao, Piracicaba, SP, 13414-903, Brazil

    E. L. R. Sousa, B. P. F. A. Gomes, R. C. Jacinto, A. A. Zaia & C. C. R. Ferraz

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  1. E. L. R. Sousa
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  2. B. P. F. A. Gomes
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  3. R. C. Jacinto
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  4. A. A. Zaia
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  5. C. C. R. Ferraz
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Correspondence to C. C. R. Ferraz.

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Sousa, E.L.R., Gomes, B.P.F.A., Jacinto, R.C. et al. Microbiological profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of infected root canals associated with periapical abscesses. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 32, 573–580 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-012-1777-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-012-1777-5

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