The Effects of Various Periodontal Procedures on the Detection of Bacteria in the Bloodstream

Walker, Katie Fraser (2000) The Effects of Various Periodontal Procedures on the Detection of Bacteria in the Bloodstream. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Background : Transient bacteraemias have been detected following dental manipulation for many years. Infective endocarditis can arise in susceptible individuals and antibiotic prophylaxis is required for certain procedures considered to be 'at risk'. Evidence is emerging that periodontal disease may contribute a significant risk factor for the development of certain diseases and CVD could be detrimentally influenced by the repeated entry of bacteria into the bloodstream. It is possible that antimicrobial mouthwashes such as chlorhexidine, could influence the subgingival microflora, reducing the levels of bacteraemia induced by instrumentation. Method: A single blind parallel study lasting two weeks. A baseline blood sample was obtained from 38 volunteers with untreated periodontal disease following which a periodontal probing depth chart was collected. A blood sample was taken following this procedure. Patients were assigned to a mouthwash by a random block assignment chart by the order in which they attended. Following 2 weeks of either chlorhexidine or fluoride mouthwash use twice daily a blood sample was taken. Each subject rinsed with their mouthwash for 1 minute and performed toothbrushing for 2 minutes. A blood sample was taken following this procedure. A full mouth cavitron scaling was performed and a final blood sample was taken. Blood samples were analysed by conventional microbiology. Polymerase Chain Reaction and the LAL assay. Results : Incidence of bacteraemias detected by conventional culture were : cavitron scaling (13.33%), periodontal probing (13.16%), toothbrushing (3.33%). By PCR : cavitron scaling (20%), toothbrushing (13.3%), probing (10.8%). The LAL assay was not considered to be a robust technique for LPS detection. Sample numbers were too small to determine any mouthwash effects. Conclusions : These findings would suggest that dental bacteraemias induced by periodontal procedures are of a low level and pose further questions on the clinical significance of bacteraemia induced by dental manipulation.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Denis Kinane
• Keywords: Dentistry
• Date of Award: 2000
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2000-76026
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Dec 2019 09:15
• Last Modified: 19 Dec 2019 09:15
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/76026