Opportunistic Bacteria in Tonsil and Dental Plaque are Indicator for Oral Care

Abstract

Background of the study: Detection of the opportunistic microorganisms can be the indicator for the oral hygiene. However, there are many sampling sites in one subject. Context and purpose of study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitable sampling site for opportunistic pathogens as an indicator of the oral hygiene. Results: In the 21 healthy females' swab samples of tonsil, meticillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumobacillus, Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae, Lancefield group A streptococci, Lancefield group G streptococci, Haemophilus sp. were detected; detection rates were 33.3%, 4.8%, 19.0%, 4.8%, 4.8% and 14.3%, respectively. The detection rates of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and Haemophilus sp. were the highest when compared to the other sampling sites. For H. influenzae, the detection rates were relatively high; 14.3% for tongue, 38.1% for dental plaque and 52.4% for saliva. Main findings: Detections of the commensal and opportunistic pathogens from tonsil and saliva were independent. Microbial flora form nasal cavity was independent form pharynx. Conclusion: Tonsil and saliva are the suitable sampling site to detect the opportunistic pathogens for the indicator of the oral hygiene. Brief Summary: Opportunistic pathogens in tonsil or saliva can be the indicator of the oral hygiene. Potential implications of the study: For the prevention of pneumonia, oral care is useful. In this situation, MRSA, P. aeruginosa, β-hemolytic streptococci, S. marcescens, M. catarrhallis or H. influenza in tonsil or saliva can be the indicator of the oral care. and respiratory infections through the reductions of oropharyngeal bacteria especially in elderly bed-bound nursing home patients [6-9]. Thus, detection of the opportunistic microorganisms can be the indicator for the oral hygiene. However, there are many sampling sites in one subject. Therefore, in this study, we tried to identify the representative sampling site of the opportunistic pathogens as indicator of oral hygiene. Several kinds of opportunistic bacteria inhabit in upper respiratory tract [10], therefore, it is generally considered that nasal cavity is the bacterial reservoir for the pharynx and it is the agents for pharyngitis. Therefore, we additionally checked the co-ration of the bacterial flora (including Candia sp.) from nasal cavity, pharynx and oral cavity. Materials and Methods Subjects and sampling Twenty one healthy female students of the dental hygiene school were included in this study. Their mean ages were 22.1 ± 2.11. Sampling for all the subjects were carried out within one month. In this study, subjects with, systemically healthy, without periodontitis and dental caries, possessed at least 20 teeth and had not taken systemic antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs or immunosuppressive drugs in the 3 month were included for the sampling.