Objectives: This study investigated the types and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria in odontogenic abscesses.
Materials and methods: Pus specimens from 1,772 patients were collected from affected areas during incision and drainage, and bacterial cultures and antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed. The number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria was analyzed relative to the total number of bacteria that were tested for antibiotic susceptibility.
Results: Bacterial cultures from 1,772 patients showed a total of 2,489 bacterial species, 2,101 gram-positive and 388 gram-negative. For penicillin G susceptibility tests, 2 out of 31 Staphylococcus aureus strains tested showed sensitivity and 29 showed resistance. For ampicillin susceptibility tests, all 11 S. aureus strains tested showed resistance. In ampicillin susceptibility tests, 46 out of 50 Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae strains tested showed resistance.
Conclusion: When treating odontogenic maxillofacial abscesses, it is appropriate to use antibiotics other than penicillin G and ampicillin as the first-line treatment.
Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotic sensitivity; Fascial space infection; Odontogenic infection.
Copyright © 2019 The Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.