Screening of Infected Teeth of Dental Patients Attending University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo City for Associated Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Olorunjuwon Omolaja Bello^1*, Mathew Olujenyo Oni², Temitope Kudirat Bello³ & Bamidele Precious Awopetu¹

¹Department of Biological Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Nigeria
²Department of Biological Sciences, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
³Department of Biological Sciences, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria

Dr. Olorunjuwon Omolaja Bello, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Nigeria.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Bacteria, Resistance, Tooth Decay

Abstract

Antibiotics used in the treatment of dental caries infection are often wrongly prescribed which resulted in the increased resistance in bacteria associated with teeth infections. The purpose of this research was to screen infected teeth of dental patients attending University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo City, for associated antibiotic-resistance bacteria. Swab samples were taken from consented dental patients at the UNIMEDTH and analyzed microbiologically using standard procedures. Nutrient agar and blood agar media were used to cultivate the total viable bacteria and fastidious organisms, respectively. The most probable identity of bacterial isolates was determined by the conventional biochemical tests and confirmed with API 20 E and API 20 NE. Antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial isolates was investigated using the agar disc diffusion method in accordance to standard procedures. The bacterial isolates were obtained and identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis 4(28.57%), Staphylococcus sp 3(21.42%), Streptococcus sp 3(21.42%), Enterococcus sp 3(21.42%) and Pseudomonas sp 1(7.14%). It was found that 7 (50%) of the bacterial isolates exhibited resistance to amoxil, 6(42.86%) showed resistance to streptomycin, nalidixic acid, chloramphenicol and rifampicin. However, 5(35.71%) to tarivid, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, ampicillin and norfloxacin while 4(28.57%) displayed resistance to gentamicin and levofloxacin. Exactly 38.1% of the bacterial isolates exhibited resistance, 35.71% were intermediately susceptible while 26.19% were susceptible to the investigated antibiotics. This study revealed that the bacteria isolated from the infected teeth were resistant to most conventional antibiotics investigated. Further studies are required to determine their susceptibility to extracts of selected medicinal plants.

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