Microbiomes and immunobiological aspects in endodontic infections

Abstract

Over 15 million endodontic treatments (ET) are performed annually in the US and also in Brazil due to endodontic infections (EI). Such infections can cause signs and symptoms ranging from a mild discomfort to severe life-threatening infections, such as cellulitis, stroke or even death. This study aims to investigate the microbiomes present in different types of EI, and the levels of LPS, LTA, MMP, substance P and inflammatory cytokines in the different clinical situations in order to evaluate the effect of the ET in the reduction/elimination of the microbial/endotoxic contents from the root canals. The data achieved will be correlated with clinical and radiographic findings presented by the patients. This study also aims to investigate the susceptibility of selected bacteria to the most commonly used antibiotics in order to provide the current pattern of susceptibility. Molecular methods such as Next Generation Sequencing will be used to assess the biodiversity of the microbiomes; ELISA /cytometry to quantitate the virulence factors and the immunobiological features; and E-test and production of beta-lactamase to obtain a profile of the bacterial susceptibility to various antimicrobial agents. This work is innovative as it will evaluate with high-tech methods the microbiomes, virulence factors and the immunobiological aspects present in different types of EI; correlating them with the clinical and radiographic findings presented by the patients. It will also monitor the bacterial susceptibility to different antibiotics. The results achieved will serve as a baseline for the development of more effective ET. (AU)