title: Comparison of systemic flurithromycin therapy and clinical procedures in the treatment of periodontal diseases.
abstract: The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate, in 20 periodontal patients, the microbial and clinical effects of flurithromycin therapy plus scaling and root planning (SRP) in comparison with SRP alone. Clinical assessments of plaque, bleeding on probing and pocket depth were made prior to SRP alone and SRP plus flurithromycin therapy (375 mg twice daily for 5 days) and after both treatments. Subgingival plaque samples (n. 180) were taken prior to and after both treatments and analyzed by conventional bacteriological procedures. Differences in pocket depth and prevalence of bacterial species were analyzed pre- and post-therapies using statistical analyses. A significant decrease (p<0.001) was seen for pocket depth post SRP alone and post SRP plus flurithromycin. After two treatments, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides forsythus and Prevotella melaninogenica were eradicated from all tested sites. If we compare the prevalence of the species isolated after SRP alone and after SRP plus flurithromycin statistically significant differences were detected for P. gingivalis and for Fusobacterium nucleatum (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Flurithromycin can be considered a useful adjunct to mechanical periodontal treatment since it is more efficient in eliminating periodontal pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological and Microbiological Sciences, University of Catania, Italy. blandino@mbox.unict.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blandino
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lo Bue
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Milazzo
authors.forename: D V M
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Nicolosi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calì
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cannavò
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rossetti
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012534:Dental Scaling; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016745:Root Planing; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; C045925:flurithromycin; D004917:Erythromycin