title: Evaluation of subgingival bacteria in the dog and susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics.
abstract: The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the subgingival aerobic and anaerobic flora of 13 dogs with periodontal disease and the susceptibility of these bacteria to antibiotics currently approved in Italy for treatment of canine infections. Of the anaerobic bacteria, Bacteroides fragilis was most frequently isolated, followed by Peptostreptococcus + Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. Of the aerobic bacteria, alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus was most frequently isolated, often associated with Escherichia coli or Pasteurella multocida. Resistance of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria to various antibiotics was generally high. Anaerobic bacteria appeared to be susceptible to amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, doxycycline, and erythromycin; aerobic bacteria appeared to be susceptible to amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, erythromycin, gentamycin, and sulfa-trimethoprim. Bacteroides fragilis was resistant to all of the antibiotics tested. The emerging worldwide problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics resulting from overuse and misuse of antibiotics is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Mirko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Radice
authors.forename: Piera Anna
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Reiter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000187:drug effects*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000187:drug effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents