Evaluation of subgingival bacterial plaque changes and effects on periodontal tissues in patients with renal transplants under immunosuppressive therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify the presence of periodontal microrganisms in 35 renal transplant patients before the transplant procedure.


METHODS
At each time point, clinical parameters were recorded and subgingival plaque samples were collected from 4 different sites at days 30 and 90 after surgery. Samples were plated onto selective and nonselective media to determine total colony counts and the presence of putative periodontal pathogens. After transplant surgery, patients received immunosuppressive therapy.


RESULTS
Statistical analysis of the microbiologic data showed significant changes between time points. An increase in total counts of microrganisms was observed on day 90 after surgery. As a side effect of cyclosporine, 14 patients developed gingival overgrowth. Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus was more frequently detected in patients who did not present gingival overgrowth 90 days after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Quantitative and qualitative changes of the subgingival microflora can occur 90 days after transplant surgery, while patients are still under immunosupressive drugs.
Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Luciana
L
Saraiva
Roberto F M
RF
Lotufo
Alessandro N
AN
Pustiglioni
Helio T
HT
Silva
Ana Vitoria
AV
Imbronito
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D019214:Gingival Overgrowth / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000382:microbiology*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000382:microbiology*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents