Antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcusfaecalis isolated from canals of root filled teethwith periapical lesions
E. T. Pinheiro1, B. P. F. A. Gomes1, D. B. Drucker2, A. A. Zaia1, C. C. R. Ferraz1 &F. J. Souza-Filho11Department of Endodontic, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, UNICAMP, Piracicaba, Brazil; and2Department of Oral Microbiology, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Results All strains were susceptible to penicillinsin vitro, however, the MICs of amoxicillin and amox-
Pinheiro ET, Gomes BPFA, Drucker DB, Zaia AA, Ferraz
icillin-clavulanic acid (MIC90 ¼ 0.75 lg mL)1) were
CCR, Souza-Filho FJ. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Entero-
lower than for benzylpenicillin (MIC90 ¼ 3.0 lg mL)1).
coccus faecalis isolated from canals of root filled teeth with
All strains studied were also susceptible to vancomycin
periapical lesions. International Endodontic Journal, 37, 756–
and moxifloxacin, whilst 95.2% were susceptible to
chloramphenicol. Amongst the isolates, 85.7% were
Aim To test, in vitro, the susceptibility to different
susceptible to tetracycline and doxycycline and 80.9%
antibiotics of Enterococcus faecalis isolates from canals of
to ciprofloxacin. The MIC of erythromycin ranged from
root filled teeth with periapical lesions.
0.38 to >256 lg mL)1; only 28.5% of the strains were
Methodology Twenty-one E. faecalis isolates, from
susceptible (MIC £ 0.5 lg mL)1). Limited susceptibility
canals of root filled teeth with persisting periapical
was also observed with azithromycin which was active
lesions, were tested for their antibiotic susceptibilities.
against only 14.2% of isolates. No strains produced
The following antibiotics were used: benzylpenicillin,
amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, erythromycin,
Conclusion Enterococcus faecalis isolates were com-
azithromycin, vancomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracyc-
pletely susceptible, in vitro, to amoxicillin, amoxicillin-
line, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Min-
clavulanic acid, vancomycin and moxifloxacin. Most
isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol, tetracyc-
antimicrobial agents were determined using the E-test
line, doxycycline or ciprofloxacin. Erythromycin and
E. faecalis strains classified as susceptible or resistant
Keywords: antimicrobial susceptibility, endodontic
according to the guidelines of National Committee for
Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS). The strainswere also tested for b-lactamase production withnitrocefin (Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK).
Received 6 November 2003; accepted 9 June 2004
1990, Morrison et al. 1997). They have long been
known to cause infections, such as enterococcal
Enterococci are common inhabitants of the human
bacteraemia (Murdoch et al. 2002), infective endocar-
gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts (Murray
ditis (Graham & Gould 2002) and urinary tractinfections (Murray 1990, Morrison et al. 1997). Over
Correspondence: Brenda P. F. A. Gomes, BDS, MSc, PhD,
the last two decades, enterococci have been recognized
Endodontia, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba-FOP-
as the leading cause of hospital-acquired infection,
UNICAMP, Avenida Limeira, 901, Piracicaba, SP, 13414-018,
paralleling their increased antimicrobial resistance to
Brazil (Tel.: 0055 19 3412-5215; fax: 0055 19 3412-5218;e-mail: [email protected]).
most currently approved agents (Mundy et al. 2000,
International Endodontic Journal, 37, 756–763, 2004
Pinheiro et al. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis
Malani et al. 2002, Udo et al. 2002). Of the enterococ-
However, it is important to emphasize that, because of
cal species associated with colonization and infection in
ecological changes in an acute situation, the microb-
humans, Enterococcus faecalis is the most common
iota will change. Poymicrobial infections and obligate
species (Murray 1990, Mundy et al. 2000, Shepard &
anaerobes are frequently found in canals of sympto-
matic root filled teeth (Pinheiro et al. 2003a). There-
Enterococci are also able to colonize a variety of
fore, bacteria other than enterococci will often be the
other sites, including the oral cavity (Smyth et al.
main target of the antibiotics in the acute infection.
1987). These microorganisms have been associated
Enterococci possess a vast array of mechanisms
with oral mucosal lesions in immunocompromised
patients (Wahlin & Holm 1988), periodontitis (Rams
antibiotics including penicillin, the drug of choice
et al. 1992) and root canal infections (Molander et al.
(Hoellman et al. 1998, Shepard & Gilmore 2002).
1998, Sundqvist et al. 1998, Noda et al. 2000, Peciu-
These microorganisms show intrinsic resistance to
liene et al. 2000, 2001, Pinheiro et al. 2003a,b).
certain antibiotics such as cephalosporins, clindamy-
Enterococci constitute a small percentage of the
cin and aminoglycosides (Murray 1990, Morrison
microbial species isolated from root canals of teeth
et al. 1997). In addition to these intrinsic resistances,
with necrotic dental pulps (Sundqvist 1992, 1994).
enterococci have acquired genetic determinants that
However, they are the most commonly isolated species
confer resistance to many classes of antimicrobials,
from root canals of teeth with failed endodontic
including tetracycline, erythromycin, chlorampheni-
treatment. Enterococci are found in approximately
col, and, most recently, vancomycin (Murray 1990,
50% of the canals with refractory infection (Molander
Morrison et al. 1997, Mundy et al. 2000, Shepard &
et al. 1998, Pinheiro et al. 2003a,b). Peciuliene et al.
(2000, 2001) have reported an isolation frequency of
Clinical isolates of E. faecalis recovered from root
enterococci as high as 70% when root filled teeth are
canal infections can demonstrate antimicrobial resis-
associated with chronic apical periodontitis. Enterococ-
tance to conventional treatment regimens recom-
cus faecalis is also the most common Enterococcus sp.
mended for dental procedures. Dahle´n et al. (2000)
isolated from root canals; other species are rarely found
have described enterococcal isolates resistant to ben-
(Sundqvist et al. 1998, Peciuliene et al. 2000, 2001,
zylpenicillin, ampicillin, clindamycin, metronidazole
Pinheiro et al. 2003a,b). Enterococcus faecalis is usually
and tetracycline; whilst Noda et al. (2000) have
isolated in pure culture or as a major component of the
discovered strains that are resistant to cephalosporins.
flora of previously root filled teeth with chronic apical
Previous studies (Pinheiro et al. 2003b) have found
periodontitis (Peciuliene et al. 2000).
E. faecalis strains which show resistance to azithromycin
Antibiotics are not generally used to treat chronic
and erythromycin. Thus, many antibiotics, tradition-
infections, such as apical periodontitis, in root filled
ally used in odontogenic infection, may prove ineffec-
teeth. Chronic alveolar infections are associated with
pulpless teeth which have no blood supply reaching the
pulp space. Following the systemic administration of an
In the case of endodontic infections associated with
antibiotic, the concentration reaching the root canal is
enterococci, very limited antibiotic sensitivity data are
negligible and unlikely to inhibit bacterial growth.
available. The present study aimed to test, in vitro, the
Therefore, systemic antibiotic therapy is neither indi-
susceptibility to different antibiotics of E. faecalis isola-
cated nor likely to be beneficial (Abbott et al. 1990).
ted from canals of root filled teeth with periapical
Prophylactic use of antibiotics is, of course, another
matter. Prophylactic use can be indicated if patients areconsidered at risk of infective endocarditis during
endodontic treatment (Abbott et al. 1990, Debelianet al. 1995). In such cases, therapy should be directed
primarily against the most important pathogens pre-sent.
The E. faecalis strains were isolated from canals of root
Furthermore, periapical abscesses can originate from
filled teeth with persisting periapical lesions as des-
root filled teeth whose apical periodontitis continues
cribed by Pinheiro et al. (2003a) and Gomes et al.
following treatment. Some of them need antibiotic
(2004). Patients were selected from those who attended
therapy prior to surgical treatment (Sousa et al. 2003).
the Piracicaba Dental School, SP, Brazil, with a need for
International Endodontic Journal, 37, 756–763, 2004
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis Pinheiro et al.
nonsurgical root canal retreatment. Patients who had
that indicates the drug concentration in lg mL)1
received antibiotic treatment during the last 3 months
or had a general disease were excluded from the
Mueller-Hinton agar plates (Oxoid, Basingstoke,
UK) 4 mm thick were inoculated using a swab thathad
standardized to match the turbidity of the 0.5
McFarland standard. The surface of the plate was
All coronal restorations, posts and carious defects were
swabbed in three directions to ensure a complete
removed. After access cavity preparation, the teeth
distribution of the inoculum over the entire plate.
were individually isolated from the oral cavity with a
Within 20 min of inoculation, the antimicrobial
rubber dam, and disinfection was carried out using
agents’ strips were applied and the plates were
5.25% sodium hypochlorite. The root filling was
inverted for incubation at 35 °C in air for 16–18,
removed using Gates Glidden drills (Dentsply Maillefer,
24 h for vancomycin. After incubation, the plate was
Ballaigues, Switzerland) and endodontic files without
examined and an elliptical zone of growth inhibition
the use of chemical solvents. Irrigation with sterile
was seen around the strip. The minimal inhibitory
saline solution was performed in order to remove any
concentration (MIC) was read from the scale on the
remaining materials and to moisten the canal prior to
strip at the intersection of the growth with the
sample collection. For microbial sampling, a sterile
E-strip. Once the MICs for the antimicrobial agents
paper point was introduced into the full length of the
canal (as determined with a preoperative radiograph),
interpretative categories of susceptible or resistant
and kept in place for 60 s. The paper point samples
according to the guidelines of National Committee for
from the root canal were transferred to a transport
Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) (2002). All
medium-VMGA III (Mo¨ller 1966, Dahle´n et al. 1993)
the tests were completed in duplicate.
and taken to the microbiology laboratory for processingwithin 4 h.
Enterococcus faecalis isolates were tested for b-lactamase
production with nitrocefin (Oxoid) according to the
The samples were inoculated onto nonselective blood
manufacturer’s instructions. Nitrocefin solution (5 lL)
agar plates and incubated in aerobic and anaerobic
was dropped onto a single colony of an overnight
conditions. The enterococcal identification was per-
culture. Development of a red colour within 60 s
formed using colonial morphology, oxygen tolerance,
Gram staining characteristics, and Rapid ID 32 Strep(Bio Merieux, Marcy-l’Etoile, France). In most of the
cases, enterococcal strains, bile resistant, facultativelyanaerobic Gram-positive cocci, were identified as
MIC range, MIC50 and MIC90 values obtained by the
E-test method are shown in Table 1. Susceptibilityrates are also shown. All isolates proved susceptibleto benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavul-
anic acid. No strains produced b-lactamase. The
The susceptibility/resistance of 21 E. faecalis strains to
strains studied were also completely susceptible to
11 antibiotics was measured. The following antimicro-
vancomycin and moxifloxacin. The latter was the
bials were tested: benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, amoxi-
most active antibiotic, in vitro, against E. faecalis with
the lowest MIC values: all isolates were inhibited by
vancomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, doxycy-
£0.5 lg mL)1. Eight strains were found to be resist-
cline, ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin.
ant to azithromycin, and two of them were also
The antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was
resistant to erythromycin. Three strains were resist-
investigated by means of the E-test System (AB Biodisk,
ant to both tetracycline and doxycycline. One strain
Solna, Sweden). The E-test uses plastic strips; one side
was resistant to multiple drugs, viz. erythromycin,
of the strip contains a concentration gradient of the
azithromycin, tetracycline, doxycycline and chloram-
antimicrobial agent; the other contains a numeric scale
International Endodontic Journal, 37, 756–763, 2004
Pinheiro et al. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis
Table 1 In vitro susceptibility of 21 E. faecalis isolates from
(Murray 2000, Murdoch et al. 2002, Shepard &
canals of root filled teeth with periapical lesions
All strains studied were susceptible to penicillins
in vitro, however, the MICs of amoxicillin and amoxi-
cillin-clavulanic acid were lower than for benzylpeni-
cillin. These findings are in agreement with previous
studies (Rams et al. 1992, Pinheiro et al. 2003b) which
have found that enterococci are more sensitive to
amoxicillin than to benzylpenicillin, bearing in mind
that the latter can be given i.m. or i.v. not orally.
Phenoxymethyl penicillin, which can be given orally, is
less active against enterococci than benzylpenicillin is
(Nord & Wadstro¨m 1973). The results indicated that
E. faecalis strains isolated from canals of root filled teeth
with periapical lesions remain susceptible, in vitro, to
MIC50, minimal inhibitory concentration including 50% of the
amoxicillin. Nevertheless, the lack of enterococcal
strains; MIC90, minimal inhibitory concentration including 90%
resistance to penicillins in this study may be due to
the limited number of strains investigated and/or
recommended by NCCLS (2002): benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin
geographical differences. The presence of enterococcal
and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (£8 S, ‡16 R); erythromycin (£0.5
strains resistant to penicillin and ampicillin has been
S, ‡8 R); vancomycin (£4 S, ‡32 R); chloramphenicol (£8 S, ‡32
reported in endodontic infections in the USA (Matusow
R); tetracycline and doxycycline (£4 S, ‡16 R); ciprofloxacin (£1S, ‡4 R). The breakpoints used for azithromycin were £2 S and
1981) and Sweden (Dahle´n et al. 2000) which under-
‡8 R (Fass 1993); and for moxifloxacin were £2 S, ‡8 R (Mather
lines the need to perform susceptibility tests of these
isolates. However, those authors did not provideinformation about the nature of the endodontic infec-tions, i.e. primary or secondary infections. There mostlikely is a difference in resistance pattern between
enterococci from primary infections and from root filled
Penicillins are the most frequently used antimicrobial
teeth with continuing apical periodontitis. Further
agents. Due to their historical effectiveness, minimal
investigation involving enterococcal strains isolated
toxicity and relatively low cost, penicillins constitute
from both situations would improve knowledge about
the first-choice antibiotics for odontogenic infections.
resistance pattern of enterococci in endodontic infec-
Important classes of penicillins include penicillins G and
V, which are highly active against susceptible Gram-
Besides differences in geographical areas and origins
positive cocci, and amoxicillin with an improved Gram-
of infections, changes in resistance pattern of bacteria
negative spectrum. b-Lactamase inhibitors such as
may occur over time. Earlier studies (Zeldore & Ingle
clavulanate are used to extend the spectrum of peni-
1962, Engstro¨m 1964) of enterococci isolated from root
cillins against b-lactamase producing organisms (Petri
canals had shown that 100% of isolates were susceptible
to erythromycin. Heintz et al. (1975) found more than
Bacterial resistance to penicillins has become a
90% of isolates were susceptible, whilst Stern et al.
problem of great clinical significance because of its
(1990) have found 61.9% of enterococcal isolates
widespread use for many years (Appelbaum et al.
susceptible to this drug. The present findings support
1990). The development of enterococcal resistance to
the finding of a decrease in the enterococcal suscepti-
b-lactams can be mediated by alterations in the
bility to erythromycin over time. In this study, the MIC
expression or binding affinities of penicillin-binding
proteins. Additionally, resistance has been associated
>256 lg mL)1. Two isolates were classified as resistant
with the production of b-lactamase, occasionally
(MIC ‡ 8 lg mL)1) and 6 (28.5%) as susceptible
(Morrison et al. 1997). However, in this study, all
(MIC £ 0.5 lg mL)1) according to the susceptibility
isolates were negative for b-lactamase production,
breakpoints determined by the NCCLS protocol; most
which agrees with the findings of Udo et al. (2002).
of the isolates (65.4%) showed an intermediate pattern.
b-Lactamase production occurs only rarely in E. faecalis
Similar results have been reported by Sedgley et al.
International Endodontic Journal, 37, 756–763, 2004
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis Pinheiro et al.
(2004) who have found, amongst 12 oral enterococci,
(Cotter & Adley 2001). Resistance to tetracyclines has
two strains resistant to erythromycin, two (16.6%)
susceptible and eight (66.6%) with an intermediate
Chloramphenicol is effective against most aerobes
pattern. Those studies have shown that the MIC of
and anaerobes, but its potential side-effect of aplastic
erythromycin, when tested against enterococcal strains,
anaemia usually makes selection of another effective
has increased over time; which suggests that oral
and safer antibiotic a better choice (Moenning et al.
enterococci have become less susceptible to this drug.
1989). It was effective against 95.23% of the strains in
Azythromycin is able to achieve higher and more
this study. However, other studies have reported that
sustained blood levels than erythromycin, without the
20% (Cotter & Adley 2001) to 26% (Udo et al. 2002) of
gastrointestinal side effects (Grad 1997, Andrade
enterococci are chloramphenicol resistant.
2000). Azythromycin was tested as a substitute for
Amongst the drugs tested, vancomycin and moxifl-
erythromycin and was found to be less effective against
oxacin were active against all E. faecalis isolates in vitro.
enterococci than erythromycin, with only 14.2% of
Vancomycin is a drug primarily active against Gram-
isolates being susceptible. This finding is in accordance
positive bacteria. However, it should be employed only to
with those of Fass (1993). Furthermore, the latter
treat serious infections (Chambers 2001). Administra-
study has also reported that there is cross-resistance
tion of vancomycin is an effective alternative, in patients
between azithromycin and erythromycin.
who are allergic to penicillin, for the treatment of
In this study, erythromycin and azythromycin
endocarditis caused by viridans streptococci as well as
resistance was found amongst E. faecalis isolates.
enterococci. In the latter case, penicillin or vancomycin
Furthermore, E. faecalis has intrinsic resistance to
is given in combination with an aminoglycoside (Murray
clindamycin (Murray 1990, Morrison et al. 1997).
1990, Graham & Gould 2002). All E. faecalis strains
Thus, this drug is not clinically effective for Enterococcus
examined in this study were susceptible to vancomycin.
spp. Therefore, when patients are allergic to penicillins,
Previous studies of the susceptibility of oral enterococci
the alternative prophylactic regimens recommended for
have also shown high susceptibility to vancomycin
dental procedures seems to be of limited value against
(Rams et al. 1992, Dahle´n et al. 2000). However, studies
enterococci. Due to the predominance of E. faecalis in
have highlighted the emergence of vancomycin-resist-
root filled teeth with periapical lesions, alternative
ant enterococci, especially amongst E. faecium and in
drugs should be considered for prophylaxis in individ-
lower frequency amongst E. faecalis (Murray 2000,
uals at risk for endocarditis during endodontic retreat-
Malani et al. 2002). These vancomycin-resistant entero-
ment. Amongst the alternative drugs investigated in
cocci have emerged as major nosocomial pathogens in
this study, E. faecalis strains were found to be resistant
hospitals, and frequently possess determinants confer-
to tetracycline, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and chlo-
ring multiple drug resistance so that few therapeutic
ramphenicol. Owing to geographical differences as well
options remain for treating these infections (Morrison
as differences over time, previously discussed in this
et al. 1997, Rice 2001, Shepard & Gilmore 2002).
paper, the findings of this study are not general but
Moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin are members of the
rather only applicable to the microbes tested.
quinolones. Ciprofloxacin has antimicrobial activity
Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotics with
against most Gram-negative bacilli and cocci., but
activity against aerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive
limited activity against most Gram-positive organisms.
and Gram-negative organisms. Doxycycline is one of
Moxifloxacin is a new fluoroquinolone with expended
the most active derivative of tetracycline. However,
spectrum of activity, including anaerobes and Gram-
bacterial resistance to any member of the class usually
positive organisms, especially the multi-resistant ones
results in cross-resistance to other tetracyclines (Cham-
(Fass 1997, Oliphant & Green 2002, Speciale et al.
bers 2001), which was observed in the present study.
2002, Andersson & MacGowan 2003). In the present
The strains resistant to tetracycline were also resistant
study, moxifloxacin was one of the most active
to doxycycline, the latter showing lower MICs against
antibiotics against E. faecalis with the lowest MIC50
E. faecalis. Tetracycline resistance observed in 14.3% of
and MIC90, and proved more active than ciprofloxacin,
strains in this study agrees with resistance in 13.8% of
which agrees with data that have been reported by
isolates reported by Dahle´n et al. (2000). In contrast,
several authors (Fass 1997, Mather et al. 2002, Spec-
some studies have shown even higher percentages of
iale et al. 2002). In addition to antimicrobial activity
E. faecalis to be resistant to this antibiotic, i.e. 58%
studies, the pharmacokinectic and pharmacodynamic
(Rams et al. 1992), 65.1% (Udo et al. 2002) and 68.5%
properties of moxifloxacin have been studied, showing
International Endodontic Journal, 37, 756–763, 2004
Pinheiro et al. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis
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excellent tolerability (Krasemann et al. 2001).
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Recent studies have shown that moxifloxacin has
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