Bacteriological examination of the obligate anaerobic infection

Periapical abscess

Abstract

20 obliterative abscesses of endodontic origin were examined bacteriologically. Bacteria were detected in 16 of 20 cases. Obligate anaerobic bacteria were isolated from 16 cases whereas facultative anaerobic bacteria were from 9 cases. The average number of isolates was 3.4 ×10⁶ CFU/ml and 84.7% of all isolates were obligate anaerobic bacteria. Gram negative rods were predominant and Bacteroides and Fusobacterium were frequently isolated, followed by Eubacterium, and Peptostreptococci. Bacteria species isolated from periapical abscesses were similar to root canal bacteria. This indicates that these bacteria play an important role in the formation of periapical abscesses.