Catonella morbi and Granulicatella adiacens: new species in endodontic infections.

OBJECTIVE

This study intended to examine samples from primary endodontic infections for the presence of Catonella morbi and Granulicatella adiacens, 2 species that have been recently suggested to be involved with infections in other oral sites.

STUDY DESIGN

Genomic DNA was isolated directly from samples taken from teeth with different forms of apical periodontitis, and a devised culture-independent 16S rRNA gene-based heminested PCR assay was used to determine the prevalence of these 2 target species. Species-specific primers were developed by aligning closely related 16S rRNA gene sequences. Species-specificity for each primer pair was confirmed by running PCR against a panel of oral bacteria and by sequencing of DNA from representative positive samples.

RESULTS

C morbi and G adiacens were detected in 33% and 19%, respectively, of the root canals associated with chronic apical periodontitis; 30% and 10%, respectively, of the cases diagnosed as acute apical periodontitis, and 16% and 11%, respectively, of the pus samples taken from acute apical abscesses. Overall, C morbi occurred in 26% and G adiacens in 14% of the samples taken from primary endodontic infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that C morbi and G adiacens can take part in the microbiota associated with primary endodontic infections, and their specific role in the disease process warrants further elucidation.