Root canal microorganisms and their antibiotic susceptibility in patients with persistent endodontic infections, with and without clinical symptoms.

Abstract

Secondary/persistent infections are present in teeth with previous root canal treatment, and a great variety of anaerobic microorganisms has been observed in these infections. The antibiotics prescription is occasional; however, in some cases, it is essential, particularly when the general health condition of the patient is compromised. The aims of this study were to identify the associated microorganisms in diagnosis of persistent or secondary apical periodontitis and to evaluate the susceptibility level to the antibiotics most used. Fifteen patients with persistent or secondary apical periodontitis requiring endodontic re-treatment were included. Microbiological samples were taken from the root canals and incubated in thioglycollate under anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic CDC agar (formulated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention) was employed as a culture medium and the microorganisms were identified using the API system. The microorganisms were subjected to antibiograms with three different antibiotics. Twenty-six microorganisms were identified, the most common genus was Enterococcus (26.8%), Streptococcus (19.22%), Aerococcus (19.1%), and Clostridium (11.4%). 48% of them were susceptible to amoxicillin, with 28% of resistance. For clavulanic acid/amoxicillin, the susceptibility occurred in 32%, with 28% of resistance; and for clindamycin, the susceptibility was present in 40%, with 52% of resistance. The most frequently detected associated microorganism for secondary infections was genus Enterococcus, which exhibited high resistance to the studied antibiotics.

• Authors: Sara Edith Medina-Palacios, Marlen Vitales-Noyola, Emmanuel López-González, Ana María González-Amaro, Verónica Méndez-González, Amaury Pozos-Guillén
• Journal: Odontology (Odontology) Vol. 109 Issue 3 Pg. 596-604 (Jul 2021) ISSN: 1618-1255 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 33387161 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Amoxicillin

Topics

• Amoxicillin
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (pharmacology)
• Dental Pulp Cavity
• Humans
• Periapical Periodontitis (drug therapy)
• Root Canal Therapy