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Abstract The development of a biodegradable material with antimicrobial properties for local applications is required in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to produce blends of poly-L-lactide acid (PLLA) synthetic polymer associated with several antimicrobials, as an alternative in the prevention and treatment of infections, as well as to evaluate its cytotoxicity, release of antimicrobials and inhibit bacteria growth. Blends of PLLA added with 20% Amoxicillin, Metronidazole, Clindamycin or Azithromicyn were used to produce Films (F) or Meshs (M) by casting and electrospinning methods, respectively. Standardized discs of the films and meshs were stored in buffer solutions (pH 5 or 7.4) and aliquots were analyzed by high performance chromatography (HPLC) during 168 hours. Cytotoxicity on human gingival fibroblasts was tested after 24, 48 and 72h by MTT reaction. The antimicrobial capacity was determined against P. gingivalis and S. pyogenes. The specimens were weighed after 3 and 6 months of storage for degradation analysis. SEM was performed to control interfaces and degradation. Antimicrobials presented a continuous and exponential drug release. Analysis showed that both M and F were able to inhibit S. pyogenes and P. gingivalis growth, indicating the release of active antimicrobial agents. The products were not toxic to the fibroblasts. Amoxicillin-film showed more degradation than PLLA at both pHs (p < 0.05), whereas Azithromycin-meshes were more degraded than PLLA at pH 7.4 (p < 0.05). PLLA association with antimicrobials is biocompatible and may represent a potential tool for the local delivery of antimicrobials.

Abstract The aim of this study was to explore the bacterial diversity of 10 root canals with acute apical abscess using clonal analysis. Samples were collected from 10 patients and submitted to bacterial DNA isolation, 16S rRNA gene amplification, cloning, and sequencing. A bacterial genomic library was constructed and bacterial diversity was estimated. The mean number of taxa per canal was 15, ranging from 11 to 21. A total of 689 clones were analyzed and 76 phylotypes identified, of which 47 (61.84%) were different species and 29 (38.15%) were taxa reported as yet-uncultivable or as yet-uncharacterized species. Prevotella spp., Fusobacterium nucleatum, Filifactor alocis, and Peptostreptococcus stomatis were the most frequently detected species, followed by Dialister invisus, Phocaeicola abscessus, the uncharacterized Lachnospiraceae oral clone, Porphyromonas spp., and Parvimonas micra. Eight phyla were detected and the most frequently identified taxa belonged to the phylum Firmicutes (43.5%), followed by Bacteroidetes (22.5%) and Proteobacteria (13.2%). No species was detected in all studied samples and some species were identified in only one case. It was concluded that acute primary endodontic infection is characterized by wide bacterial diversity and a high intersubject variability was observed. Anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes, followed by Bacteroidetes, were the most frequently detected microorganisms.