title: Changes in the prevalence of subgingival enteric rods, staphylococci and yeasts after treatment with penicillin and erythromycin.
abstract: The changes in the balance of microbial flora in the periodontium after antibiotic treatment were investigated in a blind study. The prevalence of gram-negative enteric rods, staphylococci and yeasts was followed before and during penicillin or erythromycin treatment of 72 periodontitis patients without periodontal cleaning. The prevalence of subgingival coagulase-positive staphylococci increased significantly following systemic penicillin therapy. After systemic erythromycin therapy, the prevalence of subgingival gram-negative enteric rods increased. Ten of 24 (42%) patients receiving systemic penicillin therapy developed clinical evidence of periodontal abscesses. In the absence of conventional mechanical cleaning, systemic administration of penicillin and erythromycin antibiotic to patients with pre-existing periodontitis may lead to periodontal superinfection with opportunistic organisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Helovuo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hakkarainen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Paunio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000209:etiology; D004754:Enterobacter / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010508:Periodontal Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015163:Superinfection / Q000209:etiology*; D015003:Yeasts / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins; D004917:Erythromycin