Abstract
Objective
Lactobacillus plantarum, a bacterium located in deep caries, has a virulence factor in the form of lipoteichoic
acid (LTA), which is found in the bacterial cell wall. LTA is able to trigger a neutrophils
response in the dental pulp inflammation process within the first 6 to 24 hours. The
quantity of bacteria is one factor influencing the increase in number of neutrophils
in addition to the quality of the bacteria. This study seeks to analyze the effect
of lipoteichoic acid of Lactobacillus plantarum (LTA-Lp) in the dental pulp inflammation by observing the number of neutrophil cells
in a histopathological view.
Materials and Methods The LTA was isolated from L. plantarum. The left upper molar of Rattus novergicus was mechanically perforated under anesthesia to induce dental pulp inflammation.
The perforated tooth was then induced by 10 and 15 µg/mL of LTA-Lp and then restored
by a temporary filling. The perforated tooth in the control group was only restored
by a temporary filling. After 24, 48, and 72 hours, the tooth was extracted and then
stained with hematoxylins and eosin to observe the neutrophils in the dental pulp
via a light microscope.
Result The number of neutrophils in the dental pulp after induction by 15 µg/mL of LTA-Lp
is higher than 10 µg/mL of LTA-Lp and both controls. There were significant differences
in the number of neutrophils in the dental pulp, in each group on 24, 48, and 72 hours
after LTA-Lp inducing (p < 0.05).
Conclusion The LTA-Lp dose of of 10 and 15 µg/mL affected the dental pulp inflammation by affecting
the number of neutrophils.
Keywords
dental pulp - pulp inflammation - lactobacillus plantarum - lipoteichoic acid - neutrophils
