title: Azithromycin buccal patch in treatment of chronic periodontitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to explore the clinical, microbiological, and biochemical impact of azithromycin (AZM) buccal patch in chronic generalized patients as a monotherapy as well as an adjunct to nonsurgical therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A parallel design was used forty periodontitis patients were randomly allocated into five groups, namely Group 1 scaling root planing (SRP) alone, Group 2 (SRP + AZM patch group), Group 3 (SRP + AZM tablet group), Group 4 (AZM patch monotherapy), and Group 5 (AZM tablet as monotherapy). Plaque index, gingival bleeding index, modified gingival index, probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were assessed at baseline and 21 and 90 days. Subgingival pooled plaque sample was collected to assess periodontopathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia (Pi) by anaerobic culture method. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was also evaluated at baseline and 21 days. Periodontal maintenance was performed in Group 1 until 90(th) day, and clinical parameter was assessed at the end of 90(th) day.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SRP + AZM tablets showed greater reduction in clinical parameters (P < 0.05) AZM as monotherapy did not offer clinical benefits over SRP. Baseline data were compared at the end, i.e., 90(th) day a significant reduction in plaque scores, gingival bleeding, and PPD was observed however no significant gain in the clinical attachment was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The monotherapy resulted in no improvement of periodontal parameters, microbial parameters, and TNF-α level. It is safe to use AZM + SRP as a mode of nonsurgical treatment in periodontitis patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Sajith Abdul
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Latif
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, College of Dental Sciences, Bapuji Pharmacy College, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Vandana
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Bapuji Pharmacy College, Bapuji Pharmacy College, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thimmashetty
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, College of Dental Sciences, Bapuji Pharmacy College, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Priyanka Jairaj
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dalvi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002610:Cheek; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016745:Root Planing; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin
keywords: Antimicrobials; azithromycin; periodontitis; scaling root planing; tumor necrosis factor alpha