Clinical Analysis of Microbial Flora and Evaluation of Antibiotic Response in Odontogenic Infections

7 Aug, 20

Introduction

One of the commonest and major problems encountered in dental practice is bacterial infections. Odontogenic infections are those which frequently occur in the pulp, periodontium or periapex of the tooth and are mainly attributed to the normal flora of the mouth. These infections usually react well to dental care, whereas surgical intervention and antimicrobial therapy is essential for the speedy resolution of infection. Deepen the knowledge of the odontogenic infection can help to improve the understanding which could be applied clinically.

Aim

To investigate the microbial flora and simultaneously evaluate its antibiotic response in patients associated with odontogenic infection.

Patient Profile

Patients presenting with maxillofacial infection

Method

Samples for the analysis were taken from the Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the People’s Dental Academy, People’s University, Bhopal. Assessment of microbial profile and antibiotic susceptibility testing were done.

Results

This study included 78 patients [comprising 37(47.4%) females and 41(52.5%) males] with maxillofacial odontogenic infection. The results were as follows:

The main origin/cause of odontogenic infection was dental caries [62 cases (79.4%)], followed by gingivitis [44 (56.4%)], periodontitis [30 (38.4%)], periapical [5 (6.4%)] and pericoronitis [3 (3.8%)].
Frequently isolated isolates were 40 (51%) of Staphylococcus aureus, 65 (83%) of Streptococcus mutans, 23 (29%) of Streptococcus salivarius, 30 (38%) of Streptococcus sanguis, 21 (27%) of Streptococcus mitis, 17 (22%) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 14 (18%) of Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Common sensitive antimicrobials were clindamycin (88%), metronidazole (79%), cefotaxime (72%), linezolid (72%), erythromycin (72%), amoxclav (71%), ornidazole (67%), ciprofloxacin (67%), vancomycin (65%), imipenem (64%), cefadroxil (59%), ceftazidine (59%), azithromycin (58%), and cefoperazone-sulbactam (56%).

Conclusion

To attain maximum antimicrobial effect and minimal risk, clinical analysis and evaluation of efficacy of antibiotics with regards to isolated bacteria is of great importance. Microbiological analysis is one of the reliable ways to define therapeutic success by precisely characterising the prognosis of recurrence, to enable selection of the most appropriate antibiotic therapy to increase therapeutic efficacy which helps the clinician to choose the most appropriate antibiotic regime for the patient.

Reference

Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics. 2018; 8(6):179-182