Pathogenic potential of Enterococcus faecalis strains isolated from root canals after unsuccessful endodontic treatment

Author(s)

Francisco, Priscila Amanda ^[1] ; Fagundes, Pedro Ivo da Graca ^[1] ; Lemes-Junior, Joao Carlos ^[1] ; Lima, Augusto Rodrigues ^[1] ; Passini, Maicon Ricardo Zieberg ^[1] ; Gomes, Brenda P. F. A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Restorat Dent, Div Endodont, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Ave Limeira 901, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CLINICAL ORAL INVESTIGATIONS; v. 25, n. 9, p. 5171-5179, SEP 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate strains of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from endodontic failures cases for (a) presence of virulence genes, namely, gelatinase production (gelE), surface protein (esp), collagen-binding adhesin (ace), cytolysin activator (cylA), E. faecalis antigen A (efaA) and aggregation substance (asa), all by using PCR; (b) biofilm formation capacity; and (c) activity of gelatinase and beta-lactamase. Materials and methods Twenty-five strains of E. faecalis were tested. The DNA extracted from these strains was used for identification of virulence genes by PCR and 1% agarose gel. Biofilm formation was performed on polystyrene microplates by using the violet crystal staining method. For assessment of the gelatinase activity, inoculum of pure cultures was deposited in tubes containing gelatin and a nutrient broth, whereas nitrocefin disks were used to assess the beta-lactamase action. Results The virulence genes efaA and cylA were detected in 100% of the strains, whereas gelE was present in 84%, ace in 68%, esp in 56% and asa in 48%. Four strains had no biofilm formation, 17 had poor formation and four had moderate formation. Gelatinase production was observed in three strains and beta-lactamase resistance in five strains of E. faecalis. Topic Diverse patterns of virulence gene detection were observed among the E. faecalis strains, with predominance of those capable of forming biofilm. A few strains have been found to hydrolyze gelatin proteins, whereas beta-lactamase resistance was detected in different isolates. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/23479-5 - Microbiomes and immunobiological aspects in endodontic infections
• Grantee: Brenda Paula Figueiredo de Almeida Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/00587-5 - Investigation of virulence genes of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from teeth associated with failure of endodontic treatment
• Grantee: Pedro Ivo da Graça Fagundes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 17/26973-6 - Analysis of biofilm formation capacity and virulence factors of strains of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from teeth associated with failure of endodontic treatment
• Grantee: João Carlos Leme Junior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation