Isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from dental office environments and units in Barretos, state of São Paulo, Brazil, and analysis of their susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs

Abstract

A wide variety of opportunistic pathogens has been detected in the tubing supplying water to odontological equipment, in special in the biofilm lining of these tubes. Among these pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections, is frequently found in water lines supplying dental units. In the present work, 160 samples of water, and 200 fomite samples from forty dental units were collected in the city of Barretos, State of São Paulo, Brazil and evaluated between January and July, 2005. Seventy-six P. aeruginosa strains, isolated from the dental environment (5 strains) and water system (71 strains), were tested for susceptibility to six antimicrobial drugs most frequently used against P. aeruginosa infections. Susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, followed by meropenem was the predominant profile. The need for effective means of reducing the microbial burden within dental unit water lines is emphasized, and the risk of exposure and cross-infection in dental practice, in special when caused by opportunistic pathogens like P. aeruginosa, are highlighted.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of clinically relevant bacteria isolated from dental waste and waste workers’ hands, mucosas and coats

“…The species has been identified in high proportion in the subgengival biofilms of patients with periodontal diseases (Oliveira et al . ; Colombo et al . ).…”

“…Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be recovered from dental instruments and equipments, such as air/water syringes, high-/low-speed drills. The species has been identified in high proportion in the subgengival biofilms of patients with periodontal diseases (Oliveira et al 2008;Colombo et al 2013). This finding is highlighted by the fact that waste professionals are serving as vehicles of bacterial transmission, favouring the contamination of dental environment and also increasing the risk of patients' infection by this opportunistic pathogen.…”

Microbiological Water Evaluation from Biofilm Adhered to Dental Unit Waterlines

“…These pathogens consists of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and protozoa, which colonize and replicate on the inner surface of water pipes, often forming a protective layer of viscous substance (limo/mucus) that allows them to survive in adverse environments and invade new locations (Brasil, 2006;Sacchetti et al, 2007). In light of that, a reasonable approach to tackle this issue could be to carry out more tests for microorganisms such as fungi and protozoa or anaerobic bacteria, which are found in other studies like those by de Oliveira et al (2008).…”

“…Diseases in which microorganisms are visible in the form of biofilms may include: dental caries, periodontitis, pneumonia, septicemia, malfunction of urinary catheters and contact lenses, severe tissue infections (osteomyelitis and endocarditis) aside from rejections of prosthetic material. In patients with cystic fibrosis, about 80 % to 90 % of biofilms are composed solely of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (de Oliveira et al;Trentin et al, 2013). This bacterium is commonly isolated in analysis of dental units waterlines.…”

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Achromobacter sp. Clonal Selection Leads to Successive Waves of Contamination of Water in Dental Care Units

“…The majority of microbial species described in massive DCUW contamination are Gram-negative, aerobic, heterotrophic environmental species with low pathogenicity (4,6). However, known pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9,10), Legionella pneumophila (11,12), and nontuberculous mycobacterial species (13,14), have been detected in DCUWs. For these pathogenic bacteria, the role of DCUW contamination in patient's or dentist's infections or allergic disorders has been suggested by several published cases (11,(15)(16)(17).…”