Isolation and characterization of bacteriophage targeting Enterococcus faecalis isolated from root canal infection (in vitro study)

Introduction and Aim: Enterococcus faecalis, a Gram-positive bacterium inhabits the human and animal intestinal tracts and the environment. E. faecalis in addition to being implicated in a wide variety of infections in humans is considered the most common threat associated with recurrent root canal treatment failures. In this investigation we aimed to characterize E. faecalis strains isolated from chronic endodontic infection and evaluate the effect of a bacteriophage for its capability to eliminate E. faecalis biofilm formation.   Materials and Methods: This study involved 65 chronic endodontic infection samples which were studied for the prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis. The identification of E. faecalis was accomplished by a combination of biochemical testing and the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Phages isolated from cow dung samples were purified and evaluated based on their capability of preventing the development of biofilms by Enterococcus faecalis on biotic surfaces.   Results: Of the 65 chronic endodontic infection samples studied nineteen tested positive for the presence of E. faecalis. E. faecalis strain K3 was found to be vancomycin resistant. Biofilm development on abiotic surfaces by E. faecalis strain K3 was shown to be greatly reduced after exposure to the enterococcal phage BAG1.   Conclusion: This investigation shows that the E. faecalis bacteriophage BAG1 significantly decreases the growth of E. faecalis biofilm on abiotic surfaces.