Comparison of sensitivity of bacteria isolated in odontogenic infections to ceftriaxone and amoxicillin-clavulanate.

BACKGROUND: Odontogenic infections is a cause of mortality and morbidity in maxillofacial patients. This is largely due to resistance of organisms to antibiotics prescribed. OBJECTIVES: To isolate organisms involved in odontogenic infections and compare the sensitivity of the organisms to Ceftriaxone and Amoxicillin-Clavulanate. METHODS: The causative organisms and antibiotic sensitivity were determined by the following steps: Aspiration of pus done with needle, sample of pus or exudate collected using sterile swab if aspiration was unsuccessful and specimen were placed in transport media (thioglycolatebroth) and sent immediately to microbiology laboratory for culture of organisms and antibiotic sensitivity. RESULTS: Out of a total 55 samples taken for bacteriology, 42 (76.4%) yielded positive culture for bacteria. A total number of 21 bacteria species were identified from the positive cultures. Overall, 52% of isolated organisms were sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanate, 70% were sensitive to Ceftriaxone while 24% were resistant to both antibiotics (Table 3). Ceftriaxone was statistically significantly more potent in inhibiting bacteria growth than amoxicillin-clavulanate (P =0.009). [Table: see text].

Preoperative administration of 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse reduces the risk of bacteraemia associated with intra-alveolar tooth extraction.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of preoperative 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash on the risk of bacteraemia following routine intra-alveolar tooth extraction. The study was a randomized controlled clinical study of 101 subjects who underwent intra-alveolar dental extractions under local anaesthesia. Subjects were randomly assigned to either chlorhexidine or a control group. The chlorhexidine group had 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash administered for 1 min before any dental manipulation, and the control group had a mouthrinse of sterile water. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 1 min and 15 min after the dental extractions. Subculture and further identification of the isolated bacteria were performed by conventional microbiological techniques. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of bacteraemia between the control group (52.4%) and chlorhexidine group (27.1%) (P = 0.012). Bacteraemia was most frequently detected at 1 min after extraction (33.3%). Of the 30 subjects who had positive blood culture at 1 min, bacteraemia persisted in 8 (26.7%) of the subjects after 15 min. Bacteria isolated included Staphylococcus aureus, Actinomycetes naesulendi, Prevotella species, Streptococcus spp., and Acinetobacter iwoffii. Routine use of 0.20% chlorhexidine mouthwash before dental extraction is recommended to reduce the risk of bacteraemia following tooth extraction.