Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42308220›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Phage mediated growth inhibition and biofilm disruption of the endodontic pathogen Enterococcus faecalis.

Daniel K Arens, Meili Jensen, Meaghan A Rose, Heather M Zamora, Eun Y Huh, Yoon Y Hwang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Daniel K ArensCraniofacial Health and Restorative Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America.ORCID 0000-0001-9812-149X
Meili JensenCraniofacial Health and Restorative Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America.
Meaghan A RoseCraniofacial Health and Restorative Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America.
Heather M ZamoraCraniofacial Health and Restorative Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America.
Eun Y HuhCraniofacial Health and Restorative Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America.
Yoon Y HwangCraniofacial Health and Restorative Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America.ORCID 0000-0003-4665-8687

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The failure of endodontic procedures such as root canal therapy is primarily indicated by persistent microbial infections. Root canal therapy involves the removal of decaying dental pulp (internal blood vessels and nerves of teeth), sanitizing the canal, and filling the space with biocompatible materials. Improper cleaning or the breakdown of these materials can lead to secondary infections. These infections, if left untreated, can lead to severe pain, bone and tooth loss, and potentially systemic infection. The bacterium Enterococcus faecalis is one of the most commonly associated organisms with failed root canal therapy, in addition to its prevalence in urinary tract infections, endocarditis, wounds, and sepsis. E. faecalis is known to survive in low nutrient environments and produce extensive biofilms, making it difficult to eradicate. In addition to antibiotic treatment, bacteriophages (phages), which are bacteria-specific viruses that kill their host are an interesting companion or alternative to antibiotics. In this study we isolated and characterized 14 E. faecalis phages from wastewater samples by testing their host range, growth inhibition, and biofilm eradication capabilities against several E. faecalis strains including two that were orally derived. Several phages showed broad host ranges (up to 16 strains), strong bacterial growth inhibition even when applied at low concentrations, and significant eradication of mature biofilms (97% reduction). The phages presented here represent a unique repertoire of antibacterial agents for use in treating endodontic infections and add to the growing library of E. faecalis phages to treat diverse infections.

Indexed as

BacteriophagesBiofilmsEnterococcus faecalisHost SpecificityHumans

Identifiers

PMID42308220
PMCPMC13495677

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.