Trans-Tasman Comparison of Microbial Trends and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns in Severe Odontogenic Infection: A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis of South Australia, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand.

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The aims of this study were to assess and compare trends in microbial cultures and antibiotic resistance in individuals admitted with severe odontogenic infection in Auckland, New Zealand and South Australia, Australia. A retrospective audit was completed on all adults ( 19 years of age) admitted with severe odontogenic infection in the Auckland and South Australia public oral and maxillofacial surgical teams, 2019-2023. Data was collected on demographic information, antibiotic prescribed at discharge, length of admission, number of procedures required, microbes isolated in cultures and antibiotic sensitivity, where completed by the laboratory. The total combined population of individuals admitted for severe odontogenic infection was 924. Auckland admitted more individuals for severe odontogenic infection (n = 542), compared to South Australia (n = 382) from a similar general population size. Moderate rates of resistance to penicillin (13.4% and 8.8%) and clindamycin (13.9% and 9.4%) in Auckland and South Australian cohorts, respectively were identified. There was a higher presence of microbes that were resistant to antibiotics in the Auckland population compared to the South Australian population for individuals admitted for severe odontogenic infection. The presence of resistant microbe(s) was associated with an increasing trend of length of admission and likelihood of repeat surgical procedure(s).