Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Oral Cavity: Implications for Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Surveillance

Eric S Donkor; Fleischer Cn Kotey

doi:10.1177/1178633720976581

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Oral Cavity: Implications for Antibiotic Prophylaxis and Surveillance

Infect Dis (Auckl). 2020 Dec 14:13:1178633720976581. doi: 10.1177/1178633720976581. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Eric S Donkor¹, Fleischer Cn Kotey^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
² FleRhoLife Research Consult, Teshie, Accra, Ghana.

Abstract

The oral cavity harbors a multitude of commensal flora, which may constitute a repository of antibiotic resistance determinants. In the oral cavity, bacteria form biofilms, and this facilitates the acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes through horizontal gene transfer. Recent reports indicate high methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage rates in the oral cavity. Establishment of MRSA in the mouth could be enhanced by the wide usage of antibiotic prophylaxis among at-risk dental procedure candidates. These changes in MRSA epidemiology have important implications for MRSA preventive strategies, clinical practice, as well as the methodological approaches to carriage studies of the organism.

Keywords: MRSA; antibiotics; dental; oral; prophylaxis.

Publication types

Review