Abstract

Bharati D. Deo*, Shashikala K. and Kishore G. Bhat

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of the study was to detect Enterococcus faecalis from root canals of teeth with symptomatic and asymptomatic endodontic infections by using culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Study design: Microbial samples were collected from 31 symptomatic and 23 asymptomatic untreated teeth and from 5 symptomatic teeth with failing endodontic treatment. E faecalis was isolated and detected by culture method and PCR using species specific primes targeting 16SrDNA. Results: E. faecalis was detected in 5.6 % in symptomatic and 21.7% in asymptomatic cases by culture and it was seen in 33.3% of symptomatic and 34.8% of asymptomatic cases by PCR method. The detection of E faecalis between the groups was significantly different when culture method was used. It was not significant when PCR method was used. Conclusion: E faecalis was detected significantly more frequently in asymptomatic grou,p by culture method.. PCR method was more sensitive in detecting the target organisms than the culture method. However, no significant difference in the detection of E.faecalis was seen between symptomatic and asymptomatic endodontic infections when PCR method was used.