Antimicrobial effect of alexidine and chlorhexidine against Enterococcus faecalis infection

Abstract

The new antiseptic alexidine disinfects root canals as effectively as the commonly used chlorhexidine, a study by Kee-Yeon Kum of the Seoul National University School of Dentistry in South Korea and co-workers has shown. The root canal’s complex anatomy is prone to infection following treatment, so is treated with combinations of antiseptics. Chlorhexidine interacts poorly with the ubiquitously used sodium hypochlorite. Kum and co-workers therefore tested the efficacy of alexidine — which interacts well with sodium hypochlorite — against Enterococcus faecalis, a major cause of persistent infections. The researchers soaked blocks of bovine root canal, infected with E. faecalis, in 1% alexidine or 2% chlorhexidine for 5 or 10 minutes. Visualization of intact cells using scanning electron microscopy showed that alexidine and chlorhexidine are equally effective against E. faecalis, and that 5 minutes of soaking is required.

Keywords

alexidine / antibacterial effect / chlorhexidine / Enterococcus faecalis / Luppens apparatus / root canal soaking / scanning electron microscope

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