Aspergillus in endodontic infection near the maxillary sinus / Aspergillus em infecções endodônticas próximas ao seio maxilar

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Diseases of the maxillary sinus have been associated with dental roots near the maxillary sinus that have undergone endodontic treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of filamentous fungi in patients with dental roots near the maxillary sinus who had apical periodontitis treated endodontically, and to alert practitioners that this could be a possible avenue of contamination of the sinus in patients who develop maxillary sinus infection. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in 60 palatal roots of the first maxillary molars near the maxillary sinus, that underwent endodontic treatment for apical periodontitis. After removal of the filling material, dentin shavings were collected and placed in test tubes containing Sabouraud dextrose agar and chloramphenicol. The phenotype was determined by macroscopic and microscopic examination of the colonies. For polymerase chain reaction, the primers ITS-5 and ITS-4 were used. The sequences obtained were compared with those deposited at GenBank using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool program. RESULTS: Filamentous fungi were isolated from 6 of 60 canals (10%):Aspergillus niger (6.7%), Aspergillus versicolor (1.6%), and Aspergillus fumigatus(1.6%). CONCLUSION: Root canals near the maxillary sinus with endodontic treatment and apical periodontitis may exhibit positive cultures for filamentous fungi. Interested professionals should be alert, because these microorganisms have pathogenic characteristics that can cause disease of odontogenic origin in the maxillary sinus.

RESUMO Introdução: Doenças do seio maxilar têm sido associadas à raízes com tratamento endodôntico próximas ao seio maxilar. Objetivo: Investigar a presença de fungos filamentosos em raízes com tratamento endodôntico e lesão periapical, próximas ao seio maxilar, alertando para uma possível contaminação do seio maxilar por via odontogênica. Método: Estudo transversal em sessenta raízes palatinas de primeiros molares superiores próximas ao seio maxilar, com tratamento endodôntico e lesão periapical. Após remoção do material obturador, raspas de dentina foram coletadas e inseridas em tubos de ensaio contendo Agar Sabouraud Dextrose e Clorafenicol. O fenótipo foi determinado pela análise macroscópica e microscópica das colônias. Para o PCR utilizou-se iniciadores ITS-5 e ITS-4. As sequencias obtidas foram comparadas as disponíveis no GenBank utilizando Basic Local Alignment Search Tool. Resultados: Fungos filamentosos foram isolados de 6 dos 60 canais (10%):Aspergillus niger (6,7%), Aspergillus versicolor (1,6%) e Aspergillus fumigatus(1,6%). Conclusão: Raízes próximas ao seio maxilar com tratamento endodôntico e lesão periapical, podem apresentar cultura positiva para fungos filamentosos. Profissionais afins devem estar alerta, pois este micro-organismo possuem características de patogenicidade podendo causar doenças no seio maxilar de origem odontogênica.

Aspergillus in endodontic infection near the maxillary sinus.

INTRODUCTION: Diseases of the maxillary sinus have been associated with dental roots near the maxillary sinus that have undergone endodontic treatment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of filamentous fungi in patients with dental roots near the maxillary sinus who had apical periodontitis treated endodontically, and to alert practitioners that this could be a possible avenue of contamination of the sinus in patients who develop maxillary sinus infection. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in 60 palatal roots of the first maxillary molars near the maxillary sinus, that underwent endodontic treatment for apical periodontitis. After removal of the filling material, dentin shavings were collected and placed in test tubes containing Sabouraud dextrose agar and chloramphenicol. The phenotype was determined by macroscopic and microscopic examination of the colonies. For polymerase chain reaction, the primers ITS-5 and ITS-4 were used. The sequences obtained were compared with those deposited at GenBank using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool program. RESULTS: Filamentous fungi were isolated from 6 of 60 canals (10%): Aspergillus niger (6.7%), Aspergillus versicolor (1.6%), and Aspergillus fumigatus (1.6%). CONCLUSION: Root canals near the maxillary sinus with endodontic treatment and apical periodontitis may exhibit positive cultures for filamentous fungi. Interested professionals should be alert, because these microorganisms have pathogenic characteristics that can cause disease of odontogenic origin in the maxillary sinus.