Potential antibacterial activity of probiotics against endodontic pathogens: an in–vitro pilot study

Chaitanya Pradeep Joshi; Smita Uday Khedkar; Prerna Ashok Karde; Agraja Ganpat Patil; Nitin Hemchandra Dani

Volume : VI, Issue : IX, September - 2017

Potential antibacterial activity of probiotics against endodontic pathogens: an in–vitro pilot study

Chaitanya Pradeep Joshi, Smita Uday Khedkar, Prerna Ashok Karde, Agraja Ganpat Patil, Nitin Hemchandra Dani

Abstract :

Background: Primary goal of endodontics is to eradicate the infected pulpal tissues as well as the prevention of periapical infection. However failure to eliminate Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans is commonly associated with failed root canal treatment as well as acute and chronic apical periodontitis. In the light of human microbiome theory, this in–vitro innovative approach involves evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of probiotics against these pathogenic organisms.

Methods: Antimicrobial activity of three commercial probiotics was evaluated against the test organisms i.e E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) and C. albicans (ATCC 10231). Agar disc diffusion method was employed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the selected probiotics as well as their metabolic by–products against E. faecalis and C. albicans by measuring zones of inhibition (ZOI) in mm.

Results: With distinct zones of inhibition, two out of three tested probiotics as well as their metabolic by–products demonstrated the evidence of antimicrobial activity against both E. faecalis and C. albicans.

Conclusion: Within limitations of this in–vitro study, it is safe to say probiotics do possess ability to antagonize the growth of E. faecalis and C. albicans. This opens up a whole new avenue to use probiotics in treatment of endodontic infection.