Growth at high pH increases <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i> adhesion to collagen

Abstract

A minor increase in pH up to 8.5, which may be a consequence of insufficient treatment with alkaline medicaments such as calcium hydroxide, increases the collagen-binding ability of E. faecalis, in vitro. This can be a critical mechanism by which E. faecalis predominates in persistent endodontic infections.