Localization of blood-borne bacteria in instrumented unfilled root canals

The tissue fluid content of instrumented but unfilled root canals of five cats were analyzed for possible localization and growth of intravenously injected bacteria. Although it was possible to maintain a bacteremia for at least 120 minutes, the results showed that the test organisms were not capable of being attracted in the stagnant tissue fluid of the unfilled root canals. Even 48 hours after injection, all samples obtained from the canals were negative for the test organism. The phenomenon of "anachoresis" in unfilled root canals could not be documented under the experimental design.