Abstract

Background: Periodontitis is a global health problem affecting a large number of individuals. The disease is generally caused by anaerobes. It is well managed by proper oral hygiene. However, systemic antibiotics are also prescribed to avoid any complication. Metronidazole is a frequently prescribed antibiotic for the treatment of periodontitis.

Aim: To evaluate the susceptibility to metronidazole by anaerobic microbes isolated from individuals suffering from periodontitis.

Methodology: observational study was carried out in period from January to June 2016 dental clinic of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan. For this purpose, 100 samples were collected from the periodontal pockets of the patients. The samples were processed for identification of anaerobic bacteria through conventional culture and biochemical tests. Metronidazole susceptibility testing was performed by DDM.

Results: Out of 100 samples, anaerobes were isolated from 41 samples. Of them 41 samples Prevotella denticola (14.63%), Prevotella loecsheii (4.89%), Prevotella melaninogenica (12.19%), Prevotella oris (17.07%), Prevotella oralis (4.89%), Fusobacterium nucleatum (9.76%), Tannerella forsythensis (9.76%), Peptostreptococcus anaerobicus (14.63%), Peptostreptococcus micros (2.43%) and Veillonella spp. (9.76%) were identified or isolated. About 56.13% of anaerobic isolates were found to be resistant to Metronidazole.

Conclusion: Resistance to Metronidazole will ultimately lead to therapeutic failures. Measures such as controlled use of antibiotic should be implemented to prevent the emerging resistance of the drug in the society.

Key words: Anaerobes, metronidazole, periodontitis, resistance, susceptibility