Molecular Detection of Esp and Ace Genes in Enterococcus faecalis Isolated from Endodontic Infections

Abstract

Enterococcus faecalis is a natural inhabitant of the human gastrointestinal tract but can become dominant and cause infections when the intestinal homeostasis is disrupted. Enterococcal bacteria are considered one of the main reasons for the failure of endodontic treatment. This study aim to isolation and identification of E.faecalis depended on phenotype and molecular method, the phenotypic patterns using traditional biochemical methods, and then diagnosed it based on the genotypes and using specialized primers for 16srRNA and D-Ala: D-Ala ligase genes using polymerase chain reaction, In order to achieve successful treatment, it is necessary to study the bacterial behavior within the root canal system together with their resistance and defensive systems in an endeavor to accomplish the eradication of microorganisms and better control their engagement with the tooth, sixty  samples taken from patients of different ages suffering from dental root canal infections from the beginning of December 2023 to the end of January 2024. Then it is grown in selective and differential media, The result showed 10 (16.6%) isolates belonging to E. faecalis, the gene of 16srRNA, ddl E.faecalis, Ace and Esp detected in all isolates of E.faecalis with percentage recorded 100% for all genes, the presence of Esp and Ace genes and resistance to harsh environmental conditions contributed to the virulence and proliferation of E. faecalis bacteria in the tooth root canal in addition to the failure of endodontic treatment.