Clinical and microbiological effects of a subantimicrobial dose of oral doxycycline on periodontitis in dogs

Sub-Antimicrobial Dosage Scheme of Doxycycline for the Chronic Treatment of Bronchiectasis in a Dog

A 9-month-old German shepherd dog was examined because of a chronic cough, exercise intolerance and labored breathing, as well as recurrent episodes of lethargy with anorexia. Multifocal severe bronchiectasis and neutrophilic bronchitis was found with thoracic computed tomography and cytology of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, respectively. While oral azithromycin was administered, clinical signs were absent. However, stopping azithromycin lead repeatedly to presumed bacterial pneumonia within 1–2 months. With sub-antimicrobial dosed oral doxycycline (initially 1.5 mg/kg once daily for 3 months, then 0.7–0.5 mg/kg once daily for 6 months), the dog remained free from clinical signs. Bronchiectasis is characterized by marked irreversible bronchial dilation. Accumulation of intraluminal mucopurulent material and neutrophilic inflammation cause chronic cough and recurrent bacterial pneumonia. For therapy, life-long oral antibiotics are recommended. Chronic antibiotic administration, however, can select resistant bacterial strains. Though both azithromycin and doxycycline possess anti-inflammatory effects, doxycycline has these off-target properties at a sub-antimicrobial dose. In this report, a chronic sub-antimicrobial dose of doxycycline resulted in the resolution of chronic cough, exercise intolerance and labored breathing, and prevented recurrence of suspected bacterial pneumonia in the long-term in a dog with severe bronchiectasis. Beneficial effect of doxycycline is probably related to its anti-inflammatory effects rather than its antimicrobial properties.

Management of Severe Oral Inflammatory Conditions in Dogs and Cats

Severe oral inflammatory disease is not uncommon in the mouths of canine and feline patients. An approach to oral diagnosis is offered. This article discusses a brief review of important points in the oral diagnosis and management of main canine (canine chronic ulcerative stomatitis (CCUS), eosinophilic stomatitis, and Wegener's granulomatosis (WG)) and feline diseases (feline gingivostomatitis/caudal stomatitis, oral eosinophilic lesions, pyogenic granuloma, and autoimmune diseases with oral manifestations), and-whereby possible-information about the current understanding of disease pathogenesis and treatment is offered.

Physicochemical properties, metalloproteinases inhibition, and antibiofilm activity of doxycycline-doped dental adhesive

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the incorporation of doxycycline (DOX) into a commercial dental adhesive regarding physicochemical properties, microtensile bond strength (μTBS), nanoleakage (NL), nanohardness (NH) and Young's modulus (YM), metalloproteinases (MMP) inhibition, and antibiofilm activity.

METHODS

DOX was incorporated into the adhesive at 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 wt%. Restored teeth were evaluated for μTBS, NL, NH, and YM after 24 -hs and 1-year of water storage. Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans were grown on top of these adhesives and determined for bacterial viability and amount of biomass. The inhibitory effect on MMP was analyzed by in situ zymography under confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

Adhesives with 0.5 and 1 wt% of DOX presented reduced pH and degree of conversion. The incorporation of DOX did not affect μTBS and hybrid layer YM. The control group (no DOX) had a decrease in μTBS and the densest silver nitrate areas after 1-year storage. Hybrid layer NH values increased with 0.1 wt% DOX compared to control and 1 wt% DOX groups, at 24 -hs. After 1-year storage, NH of 1 wt% DOX adhesive decreased compared to the control group. The 0.5 and 1 wt% concentrations of DOX decreased the bacterial viability and the biofilm biomass. Confocal images suggest an increased MMP inhibition proportional to the percentage of DOX.

CONCLUSION

At any concentration, DOX-doped dental adhesives were able to inhibit MMP activity, diminish nanoleakage, and maintain the resin-dentin bond-strength after 1 year of artificial aging.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Doxycycline-doped dental adhesive inhibited metalloproteinases activity and preserved interface bond strength. This formulation has a potential to improve adhesive restorations clinical longevity.

Microbiota of periodontal pockets and root canals in induced experimental periodontal disease in dogs

AIM

To investigate the relationship between the microbiota of periodontal pockets (PP) and root canals (RC) in dogs submitted to experimental periodontal disease (ExPD).

METHODS

ExPD was induced by combining cotton and wire ligatures. After 125 days, microbiological samples were collected from PP and RC. Strains isolated from 19 teeth were submitted to DNA extraction, 16S rRNA gene amplification and gene sequencing. Pearson's χ² - and Fisher's exact tests and McNemar's test were used when appropriate.

RESULTS

The number of species in PP was greater than in RC, with prevalence of obligate anaerobes and Gram-negative bacteria. In the PP predominated Fusobacterium necrophorum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella loescheii, Campylobacter gracilis and Veillonella parvula. In the RC samples, 9 had microbial growth, with predominance of the following genera: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Neisseria. Eight genera were common to both sites in the same tooth. PP presented a greater number of species than the RC. No significant difference was observed in the species found in PP and RC in the same tooth.

CONCLUSION

Microbial composition of the RC could be modulated by the presence of periodontal disease, especially in cases of severe periodontal destruction. RC microbiota was less complex and diverse than the PP.

Modified Polymeric Nanoparticles Exert In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity Against Oral Bacteria

Polymeric nanoparticles were modified to exert antimicrobial activity against oral bacteria. Nanoparticles were loaded with calcium, zinc and doxycycline. Ions and doxycycline release were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer and high performance liquid chromatography. Porphyromonas gingivalis, Lactobacillus lactis, Streptoccocus mutans, gordonii and sobrinus were grown and the number of bacteria was determined by optical density. Nanoparticles were suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 10, 1 and 0.1 mg/mL and incubated with 1.0 mL of each bacterial suspension for 3, 12, and 24 h. The bacterial viability was assessed by determining their ability to cleave the tetrazolium salt to a formazan dye. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Scheffe’s F (p < 0.05). Doxycycline doping efficacy was 70%. A burst liberation effect was produced during the first 7 days. After 21 days, a sustained release above 6 µg/mL, was observed. Calcium and zinc liberation were about 1 and 0.02 µg/mL respectively. The most effective antibacterial material was found to be the Dox-Nanoparticles (60% to 99% reduction) followed by Ca-Nanoparticles or Zn-Nanoparticles (30% to 70% reduction) and finally the non-doped nanoparticles (7% to 35% reduction). P. gingivalis, S. mutans and L. lactis were the most susceptible bacteria, being S. gordonii and S. sobrinus the most resistant to the tested nanoparticles.