Publication:

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of aerobic bacterial strains isolated from periodontal lesions

Background Periodontitis or gum disease is a serious gum disease that damages soft tissue and without treatment can destroy the bone that support the teeth. It is because of consequences of specific or non-specific bacterial infections. Drug resistance is a major concern in treatment of periodontitis also. So this study was planned to isolate, identify aerobic bacteria and to characterize the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of  isolate from periodontal lesions and to analyze host/patient related factors.

Methods Patients coming to dental OPD with signs and symptoms of periodontitis were selected for the study. Samples were collected from periodontal pockets using bent swab stick and were  processed for aerobic culture and  antibiotic susceptibility test. Demographic data, results of culture, isolated pathogens and its antimicrobial sensitivity related data were entered in Excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS software version 23.

Results Total 71 aerobic isolates were found out of 100 aerobic culture. In E.coli isolates 83% resistance was found for ceftriaxone and ceftazidime. K.oxytoca isolates show 75% resistance to ceftazidime. K.pneumonaie shows 75% resistance to ceftazidime, 50% to amoxiclav, 29% to minocyclin. S.viridans shows 22% resistance to azithromycin, 19% to tetracycline and erythromycin. In present study higher drug resistance was found in K.pneumonaie followed by E.coli, K.oxytoca, and S.viridans. There is significant association between dental hygiene and the culture result (chi-square=20.771, df=8. p<0.01) and no significant association between age and the culture result (chi-square=44.032, df=40, p=0.305) were found.

Conclusions Periodontitis patients shows drug resistant to commonly used antibiotics for the same. Also, there is an association between dental hygiene and culture positivity. So proper dental hygiene can prevent periodontitis.