Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of the Bacteria Associated With Dental Caries Among Patients Attending Dental Clinic at Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau.

Abstract

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent oral health problems worldwide and is primarily associated with bacterial colonization of the tooth surface. This study was conducted to determine the antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacteria associated with dental caries among patients attending the Dental Clinic of Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria. A total of ten (10) dental caries samples were collected using sterile swab sticks and analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. The isolates were cultured, and identified based on their biochemical properties. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. The results revealed the presence of two bacterial species associated with dental caries, namely Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus mutans. Lactobacillus spp. was the predominant isolate, accounting for 60.0% of the total isolates, while Streptococcus mutans accounted for 40.0%. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that both isolates were highly susceptible to ciprofloxacin, with inhibition zone diameters of 36 mm and 39 mm respectively. The isolates also demonstrated susceptibility to septrin and streptomycin. However, resistance to ampicillin was observed in both isolates, while varying responses were recorded against augmentin and azithromycin. The study concluded that Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus mutans are important bacterial agents associated with dental caries among patients attending Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau. Ciprofloxacin was found to be the most effective antibiotic against the isolates, whereas resistance to ampicillin suggests the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The study recommends routine bacteriological examination and antibiotic susceptibility testing to ensure effective management of dental infections and to minimize the development of antibiotic-resistant strains.