PREVALENCE OF DRUG-RESISTANT MICROORGANISMS IN ORAL CAVITY DURING ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT

Abstract

Bacterial antibiotic resistance is a steadily growing global problem, which is nowadays compared with issues such as global warming, ozone depletion and extinction of species. Rough surfaces such as brackets in orthodontics treatment can cause biofilm accumulation and maturation, what could advance changes in the oral microbiota, favoring the resistance of these microorganisms. Objectives To investigate the prevalence of drug-resistant microorganisms in patients using fixed orthodontic appliance. Methods Sample consisted in 22 patients (11 female and 11 male) with mean (SD) of 22.3 (11.0) years with good general and oral health conditions participates in the study. Oral biofilm was evaluated by autofluorescence imaging analysis (using LED light) to indicate mature biofilm and posteriorly collected at the buccal tooth surface around fixed orthodontic appliance. Oral biofilm samples were inoculated into chromogenic medium and screening of representative microorganisms was performed. The CFUs were isolated and tested with antibiogram discs and antimicrobial agents which are common in clinical practice were used. Results Oral microorganisms collected around brackets showed a surprising high prevalence of bacterial resistance for all tested drugs: Erythromycin (54.5%), Clindamycin (50%), Amoxicillin (45.5%), Amoxicillin with Clavulanic Acid (31.8%) and Cephalexin (31.8%). Conclusion A special attention should be directed to precautions against these microorganisms, particularly in immunosuppressed patients, who are more susceptible to infections.