Immune Response Profile against Persistent Endodontic Pathogens Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis In Vitro.

INTRODUCTION: Persistent microorganisms such as Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis might be directly related to endodontic treatment failure. The host response to these microorganisms impairs the reestablishment of intraradicular and periradicular health. METHODS: The present investigation evaluated the expression of inflammatory mediators produced by RAW 264.7 cells in the presence of heat-killed antigens (HK) C. albicans and E. faecalis. Cultures of RAW cells were stimulated with both antigens in the presence or absence of recombinant interferon (rIFN)-γ. Parameters of cell viability, production of nitric oxide (NO), as well as the synthesis of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were analyzed. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that cell viability was especially reduced in antigens and rIFN-γ-stimulated groups. Groups stimulated with HK C. albicans upregulated IL-10 production. Otherwise, the addition of rIFN-γ to HK C. albicans upregulated TNF-α and NO production. Groups stimulated with HK E. faecalis upregulated TNF-α production. HK E. faecalis and rIFN-γ upregulated TNF-α and NO synthesis. The production of other cytokines remained unchanged by all stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge regarding the host mechanism of response to microorganisms that perpetuate endodontic infection and the periradicular lesions can contribute to optimization of endodontic therapy. The mentioned inflammatory mediators and virulence factors involved in endodontic failure might guide lesion progression and also be targets in the development of disinfectant and immunomodulatory agents.

PCR multiplex for detection of Salmonella Enteritidis, Typhi and Typhimurium and occurrence in poultry meat.

The occurrence of foodborne diseases is increasing throughout the world. Bacteria of the genus Salmonella are responsible for food poisoning and, in some cases, may be fatal. The aim of this study was to adapt the multiplex PCR technique (mPCR) on the rapid and direct identification of the presence of Salmonella sp. as well as serotypes Enteritidis, Typhi and Typhimurium in poultry carcasses (n=127) and viscera (n=73). The implementation of the standard technique using positive controls was successfully adapted. The results of Salmonella sp. detection in refrigerated viscera showed that the mPCR was able to detect Salmonella genus in 2.74% of these samples. Traditional microbiological analysis also identified the same positive samples for Salmonella sp. but was not able to differentiate the serotype. The serotype Enteritidis was detected by mPCR in 1.37% of the samples. Our conclusion was that the mPCR was able to detect the presence of these bacteria in a short period of time and enabled the identification of serotype Enteritidis in one of the samples found positive for Salmonella sp.