Orofacial Infections seen at A Specialist Dental Centre - A retrospective analysis of causative microbes and their antibiotic sensitivities over 6 years

• Published in: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery, medicine, and pathology medicine, and pathology, 2022-07, Vol.34 (4), p.458-466
• Main Authors: Thio, Nicole Agnes Yan Li, Nagadia, Rahul Harshad, Sim, Jean Xiang Ying, Goh, Bee Tin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Microbes; Orofacial infections
• ISSN: 2212-5558; 2212-5566
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajoms.2021.12.006

With increasing incidence of resistant microorganisms, it is beneficial to consider whether there has been a shift in spectrum and resistance profiles of microbes implicated in orofacial infections. This will help guide empirical antimicrobial choice in the treatment of such infections. The main objectives of this study were to investigate any change in trends of causative microbes associated with orofacial infections and their antibiotic sensitivity over the past 6 years and trends in prescription of empirical antibiotics in a specialist dental centre in Singapore. This retrospective study was performed on outpatients at the National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) with orofacial infections from 1st Jan 2012 to 31st Oct 2017, requiring biological samples to be taken for culture and sensitivity (C&S) testing. There was a statistically significant increasing trend in the proportion of Streptococcus spp. cultured from orofacial infections (p = 0.04). Over 6 years, 100 % of aerobes tested against Co-amoxiclav were deemed sensitive. Beta lactams appear to have good coverage against most microbes implicated in orofacial infections, especially Co-Amoxiclav, and would be a good first-line empiric antibiotic for orofacial infections in the absence of beta-lactam allergy.