Bacteriological Identification of Selected Pathogens in Infected Primary and Young Permanent Teeth Associated with Clinical Symptoms

Abstract

Background: The common cause of dental infections is necrosis of the pulp of a tooth, which is followed by bacterial invasion through the pulp chamber into the deeper tissues. The bacterial infections are caused by host indigenous bacteria primarily aerobic gram positive cocci, anaerobic gram negative and gram negative rods. The aim of this study is to identify the presence of different cultivating microorganisms which cause dental infections in primary and young permanent teeth manifested by as abscesses and apical parodontitis. Material and Methods: Seventy kids ages 5 - 15 years ( 36 females, 34 males) were studied prospectively (I assume this) at the University Dental Clincal Center of Kosovo, Department of Pediatric Dentistry in cooperation with Microbiological Department of Faculty of Medicine. All patients who had clinical, and radiological confirmation of thier dental infections, followed by extraction of their teeth. Once the tooth was extracted blood and pus sample from the empty alveoli were cultured. The analysis of the sample for bacteria identification was done using the automated system VITEK 2 cards (Biomeriux, France). Results: Of 70 children’s with deciduous 73.5% of them had acute infection and 26.5% chronic infection. On the other hand 75% of children with permanent dentitions had chronic and 25% acute infection. In acute infections the most common aerobic bacteria was Streptococcus group with 47% (Streptococcus mitis and oralis) followed by the Actonomyces group (Actinomyces mayeri and Actinomyces odontoliticus) and anaerobic bacteria in 34%. In chronic infections streptococcus group was the prevalent aerobic group and in anaerobic infection Actinomyces mayeri and Actinomyces naeslundi was the most representative aerobes in 21% of samples. Conclusion: The dental infections in pediatric population (5 - 15 years old) are polymicrobial predominantly anaerobic bacteria over aerobic. This study paves the way for preventives measures that need to me implemented in this group of children.