ANAEROBIC MICROORGANISMS IN ROOT CANALS OF HUMAN TEETH WITH CHRONIC APICAL PERIODONTITIS DETECTED BY INDIRECT IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE

Aiming to assess the presence of selected anaerobic microorganisms in root canals of human teeth with chronic apical periodontitis. 25 centr al and lateral upper incisors presenting with radiographic evidence of chronic apical periodontitis were studied. The pulp chamber was opene d under aseptic conditions and samples of the root canal content were collected with sterile absorbent paper points, which were placed and d ispersed in test tubes containing reduced transport medium (RTF). Aliq uots were dried on glass slides and stained by indirect immunofluoresc ence for detection of Actinomyces viscosus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, P orphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. The results showed a positive indirect immunofluorescence reaction of 24 of the 25 sample s. Fourteen were positive for the specie Actinomyces viscosus, 12 for Prevotella intermedia, 10 for Fusobacterium nucleatum and 4 for Porphy romonas gingivalis. A semiquantitative assay was easily implemented fo r assessment of degree of infection by the organisms in individual cas es.