Inhibitory effect of garlic extract on oral bacteria

Severe odontogenic infections, part 1: prospective report.

The acute dental abscess is frequently underestimated in terms of its morbidity and mortality. The risk of potential serious consequences arising from the spread of a dental abscess is still relevant today with many hospital admissions for dental sepsis. The acute dental abscess is usually polymicrobial comprising facultative anaerobes, such as viridans group streptococci and the Streptococcus anginosus group, with predominantly strict anaerobes, such as anaerobic cocci, Prevotella and Fusobacterium species. The use of non-culture techniques has expanded our insight into the microbial diversity of the causative agents, identifying such organisms as Treponema species and anaerobic Gram-positive rods such as Bulleidia extructa, Cryptobacterium curtum and Mogibacterium timidum. Despite some reports of increasing antimicrobial resistance in isolates from acute dental infection, the vast majority of localized dental abscesses respond to surgical treatment, with antimicrobials limited to spreading and severe infections. The microbiology and treatment of the acute localized abscess and severe spreading odontogenic infections are reviewed.

The microbiology of the acute dental abscess.

Antibiotics are prescribed by dentists for treatment as well as prevention of infection. Indications for the use of systemic antibiotics in dentistry are limited, since most dental and periodontal diseases are best managed by operative intervention and oral hygiene measures. However, the literature provides evidence of inadequate prescribing practices by dentists, due to a number of factors ranging from inadequate knowledge to social factors. Here we review studies that investigated the pattern of antibiotic use by dentists worldwide. The main defects in the knowledge of antibiotic prescribing are outlined. The main conclusion is that, unfortunately, the prescribing practices of dentists are inadequate and this is manifested by over-prescribing. Recommendations to improve antibiotic prescribing practices are presented in an attempt to curb the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance and other side effects of antibiotic abuse.

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Antibiotic prescribing practices by dentists: a review

Objective To study the therapeutic prescribing of antibiotics by general dental practitioners. Design A postal questionnaire of National Health Service general dental practitioners in ten English Health Authorities. Subjects General dental practitioners (1,544) contracted to provide NHS treatment in the Health Authorities of Liverpool, Wirral, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Nottingham, North Nottinghamshire, Sheffield, Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside. Main outcome measures The questionnaires were analysed and the responses to each question expressed as absolute frequencies. Results Responses to the questionnaire were received from 929 (60.1%) practitioners. More than 95% of practitioners recognised the need for prescribing antibiotics where there was evidence of spreading infection. Some practitioners (12.5 %) prescribed antibiotics for acute pulpitis and (3.3 %) for chronic marginal gingivitis. Antibiotics were prescribed by practitioners before drainage of acute abscesses (69%) and by 23% after drainage. Practitioners were generally not influenced by patient's expectations of receiving antibiotics (92%), but would prescribe when under pressure of time (30.3%), if they were unable to make a definitive diagnosis (47.3%), or if treatment had to be delayed (72.5 %). Amoxicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic used for most clinical conditions apart from pericoronitis, acute ulcerative gingivitis and dry sockets where metronidazole was the drug of choice. There was a wide variety of dosage, frequency and duration for all the antibiotics used in the treatment of acute dental infections. Conclusions The results obtained from this questionnaire support the conclusion that the therapeutic prescribing of antibiotics in general dental practice varies widely and is suboptimal. There is a clear need for the development of prescribing guidelines and educational initiatives to encourage the rational and appropriate use of the antibiotics in National Health Service general dental practice.

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A study of therapeutic antibiotic prescribing in National Health Service general dental practice in England.

Pus aspirated from acute suppurative oral infections in 78 patients (age range 13-76 years) yielded a total of 331 bacterial strains consisting of 143 facultative anaerobes (predominantly Streptococcus spp.) and 188 strict anaerobes (predominantly Prevotella spp.). Seventy-five isolates (23%) were resistant to penicillin (MIC > 1 mg/L), 37 (11%) were resistant to ampicillin (MIC > 2 mg/L) and 16 (5%) isolates were resistant to amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (MIC > 2 mg/L). Samples from 43 (55%) of the patients yielded at least one penicillin resistant isolate and within this group 30 samples (73%) contained at least one strain which produced beta-lactamase. A history of antibiotic therapy during the 6 months before enrollment in the study did not influence the isolation of penicillin resistant bacteria. It is concluded that penicillin resistant bacteria are often present in the microflora of acute dental infection.

Prevalence of penicillin resistant bacteria in acute suppurative oral infection

Department of Oral Surgery, Medicine & Pathology, Dental School, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff; Combined Microbiology Research Unit, GKT, King’s College Dental School Campus, University of London, London; Department of Oral Pathology, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield; Department of Dentistry, Dental School, University of Liverpool, Liverpool; Medical Department, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals (UK Division), Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK

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C. W. I. Douglas

Papers

Prevalence of penicillin resistant bacteria in acute suppurative oral infection

Assessment of the Etest method for detection of penicillin resistance in acute suppurative oral infection