In vitro determination of direct antimicrobial effect of calcium hydroxide associated with different substances against Enterococcus faecalis strains

Paulo Henrique Weckwerth, Natália Bernecoli Siquinelli, Ana Carolina Villas Bôas Weckwerth, Rodrigo Ricci Vivan, Marco Antonio Hungaro Duarte

Objective: To determinate the direct antimicrobial effects of Casearia sylvestris Swart (guaçatonga), propylene glycol, and of chlorhexidine associated to calcium hydroxide paste against 40 Enterococcus faecalis strains isolated from the oral cavity when direct contact. Methods: After activation, the bacterial strains were suspended in sterile saline to 1.0 McFarland standard. The suspension was placed in direct contact with calcium hydroxide paste [Ca(OH)2 ] + pure propylene glycol, Ca(OH)2 + chlorhexidine 1% in propylene glycol, and Ca(OH)2 + guaçatonga extract in propylene glycol by covering paper points, previously contaminated for 3 minutes, with the different pastes. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated at 6, 24, 48, 72 hours, and at 7 days. After the incubation period, the points were removed from the pastes and incubated in Letheen broth at 37o C for 48 hours. Following that, 0.1ml of the Letheen broth was transferred to tubes containing brain heart infusion (BHI) broth and incubated again at 37o C for 48 hours. Turbidity was observed in the medium. After that, M-Enterococcus agar plates were seeded with BHI broth from each tube and colony growth was assessed. Results: All the bacterial strains were inhibited by all pastes at the evaluated periods. Conclusions: It was concluded that the addition of these substances to calcium hydroxide did not interfere with its direct antimicrobial effect.

Keywords: Environmental microbiology. Enterococcus faecalis. Calcium hydroxide. Products with antimicrobial action.

How to cite: Weckwerth PH, Siquinelli NB, Weckwerth ACVB, Vivan RR, Duarte MAH. In vitro determination of direct antimicrobial effect of calcium hydroxide associated with different substances against Enterococcus faecalis strains. Dental Press Endod. 2011 apr-june;1(1):46-51.

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