Identification of the Bacteria Isolated from Oral Cavities in Korea

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to identify bacteria isolated from the oral cavities and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility against eight antibiotics. The bacterial strains were obtained from the Korean Collection for Oral Microbiology (KCOM). The bacteria were identified by comparing 16S rDNA sequences at the species level. The data showed that 77 bacterial strains were predominantly identified as streptococci (49.4%) and staphylococci (14.3%). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using a broth dilution assay to test the sensitivity of the bacterial strains. The MIC values of the oral bacterial strains against antibiotics were different. Streptococci were sensitive to clindamycin, cefuroxime axetil, and vancomycin, and they were resistant to tetracycline. Staphylococci also were sensitive to clindamycin, cefuroxime axetil, and vancomycin, and they were resistant to penicillin antibiotics. Gram-negative bacterial strains were sensitive to tetracycline and were resistant to clindamycin. These results suggest that the antimicrobial susceptibility test is necessary in deciding the prescription for antibiotics, to prevent the misuse or abuse of antibiotics.