The Localization of Microörganisms in Inflamed Dental Pulps of Rats Following Bacteremia

Abstract

It has been recognized for some time that the dental pulp may be invaded by microorganisms either through pulpal exposures or by a vascular route. Robinson and Boling' studied the localization of streptococci and staphylococci in pulps of adult cats, some with naturally acquired infections and others with artificially induced bacteremias. In these over-all findings, pulps of 72 per cent of operated teeth and 8.5 per cent of control teeth contained bacteria when the animals were sacrificed. Robinson and Boling1 were able to demonstrate that the severity of pulpal inflammation increased the chance of bacterial localization, but they were unable to correlate the age of the lesion with the localization of microorganisms. In comparison, Fox2 and Rigdon,3 working with tissues other than dental pulps, were able to show that the localization of bacteria from a hematogenous source occurred more frequently in severely inflamed localized lesions, than in less severel inflamed lesions in a similar location. In addition, younger lesions were more susceptible to localization than older ones.The purpose of this investigation was to study the influence of irritation due to cavity preparation, filling materials, and medicaments on the localization and retention of blood-borne bacteria in pulpal tissues. EXPERIMENTAL METHODSAn albino strain of Wistar rats, between the ages of 75 and 105 days, weighing approximately 150 gm., was selected for experimental study. Earlier reports by Maurice and Schour4'5 and Weider, Schour, and Mohammed6 and preliminary experiments in our laboratory have indicated that the first maxillary molars of rats are suitable for cavity preparations and studies on pulpal reactions.A strain of Staphylococcus aureus was selected as a test organism because it demonstrated moderate virulence for the rat and was not fatal if injected intravenously in relatively large numbers. Furthermore, this organism was easy to isolate and identify by the use of a selective medium.* Experimental animals were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injections of weightgraded doses of sodium nembutalt and were secured in a mouth prop.7 Samples of saliva were streaked on the selective medium and examined later for the presence of S. aureus.

Pathogenesis of Apical Periodontitis and the Causes of Endodontic Failures

“…Pulpal infection can also occur through exposed dentinal tubules at the cervical root surface, due to gaps in the cemental coating. Microbes have also been claimed to 'seed' in the necrotic pulp via the blood circulation (anachoresis) (Robinson and Boling, 1941;Burke and Knighton, 1960;Gier and Mitchel, 1968;Allard et al, 1979). However, bacteria could not be recovered from the root canals when the blood stream was experimentally infected, unless the root canals were over-instrumented and presumably the apical periodontal blood vessels were injured during the period of bacteremia (Delivanis and Fan, 1984).…”

Pulpal healing after luxation injuries and root fracture in the permanent dentition

“…Blood-borne bacteria because of generalized bacteremia have also been suggested to be the source of pulpal infection (97,(102)(103)(104)(105). However, Delivanis & Fan (106) were not able to demonstrate bacteria in instrumented unfilled root canals of dogs despite repeated injection of bacteria into the bloodstream.…”

The role of antibiotics in preventing healing complications after traumatic dental injuries: a literature review

“…In intrusion of the teeth, plaque accumulation situated in the cervical part of the crown may also bring bacteria into the wound site (1). Another possibility is invasion by the existing blood supply (anachoresis) (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26). It has been shown that periodic bacteremia occurs in all individuals, usually with the bacterial origin from the marginal periodontium (27).…”