Molecular characterization and antibacterial activity of oral antibiotics and copper nanoparticles against endodontic pathogens commonly related to health care-associated infections

To carry out molecular characterization and determine the antibacterial activity of oral antibiotics and copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) against endodontic strains isolated from persistent infections. Root canal samples from 24 teeth in different patients with persistent endodontic infections were obtained. The isolated strains were identified by biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequencing. Genotyping was achieved by molecular methods. The antibacterial activity of antibiotics and copper nanostructures was determined by using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. Furthermore, a time-kill kinetics assay was evaluated. Nonparametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) were performed (p value