Isolation and identification of Enterococcus sp in primary endodontic infections

Abstract

This study aimed the isolation and biochemical characterization of Enterococcus sp from necrotic endodontic infections of 70 patients. Thirty-five Enterococcus strains were isolated, according to the following prevalence: 33 Enterococcus faecalis strains (94,28%), 1 sample of Enterococcus faecium (2,85%) and 1 sample of Enterococcus durans (2,85%). Painful symptoms were observed from 20 patients. Fetid odor and purulent discharge were observed in three teeth (8,57%) and according to the presence of edema,4 patients carried enterococci, and one patient (2,85%) presented fistulae drainage. E. faecalis was the major Enterococcus species isolated from root canal infections presenting signals and symptoms of peri-radicular inflammation.