ABILITY OF ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS FROM ENDODONTIC-PERIODONTAL LESIONS ON CELL ADHESION AND INTERNALIZATION IN ORAL KERATINOCYTE CELLS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the abilities of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) strains isolated from endodontic–periodontal lesions presenting the same genotypes (Ef.S) and different genotypes (Ef.D) and showing hemolysis and non–hemolysis strains on adherence in oral keratinocyte cells. Microplate-based cell invasion assay was used to assess the adherence and invasion capabilities of E. faecalis strains. Results showed that Ef.D strains exhibited adherence and internalization ability higher than Ef.S strains but it showed no significant difference. Hemolytic strains (67.85±2.0 and 63.92±1.7% for adhesion and internalization, respectively) revealed higher adhesion and internalization capabilities compared to non-hemolytic strains (63.31±1.3 and 42.40±1.5% for adhesion and internalization, respectively). Regarding externalization, non-hemolytic strains (21.6±4.7%) showed higher than hemolytic strains (3.9±0.9%). Our study concluded that hemolytic E. faecalis strains may be a crucial factor contributing to the more severe pathogenicity of these strains, warranting further investigation.