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Enterococci are increasingly associated with nosocomial and opportunistic infections in humans. The role of the oral cavity as a reservoir for this species is unclear, particularly in the presence of oral infection. This study investigated the prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis in subgingival biofilm and saliva of patients with periodontal disease.

Samples were obtained from 56 periodontally healthy and 169 chronic periodontitis subjects. DNA was extracted from the samples and detection of E. faecalis was carried out by polymerase chain reaction.

In general, E. faecalis was detected in 34.9% of all samples evaluated. No significant difference in the prevalence of this species between subgingival biofilm (34.6%) and saliva (35.1%) samples was observed. E. faecalis was detected significantly more often in saliva and subgingival samples of periodontitis patients (40.5 …