An update on infective endocarditis of dental origin

The level of knowledge of medical and dental students regarding prophylaxis for infective endocarditis

OBJECTIVES

Infective endocarditis is a rarely seen disease, but has a high mortality rate. Therefore, it is extremely important that the guidelines are followed correctly. The main aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the level of knowledge and attitude of infective endocarditis of fourth- and fifth-year dentistry students in clinical residency and fifth- and sixth-year medical students.

METHODS

A 42-item questionnaire evaluating the type and dosage of antibiotics administered as infective endocarditis prophylaxis in medical conditions and dentistry procedures was delivered online to the study participants. The data obtained were examined using descriptive statistics and analyzed with the chi-square test.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was completed by a total of 332 participants. The statistical analyses showed a good level of knowledge in 55% of the dentistry faculty students and in 43.5% of the medical faculty students.

CONCLUSIONS

When considering that dental and medical faculty students are not expected to receive additional training on antimicrobial management after graduation, the findings of this study have raised significant attitude for the improvement of our education system in this field.

A Case of Infective Endocarditis Due to Oral Streptococci After Perioperative Oral Function Management

Infective endocarditis is an extremely serious disease that can present with a variety of clinical manifestations, including infection of valves and endocardium, in patients with cardiac disease, and is associated with risk factors such as invasive dental procedures, caries, and periodontal disease. On the other hand, it has been shown that perioperative oral function management before various surgeries, such as those for malignant tumors, cardiovascular disease, and transplantation, may prevent or reduce postoperative complications. Close coordination between the dentist and cardiac surgeon is especially necessary before heart valve surgery because of the risk of severe complications. The number of perioperative oral management procedures being performed in community dental clinics is increasing. In the absence of clear guidelines, the physician-in-charge usually determines how to best perform oral management while considering the patient’s needs. We report a case of infective endocarditis occurring after perioperative oral management in a young patient with good oral hygiene. This case shows that standardization of the techniques and widespread dissemination of the guidelines are required. Patients should be counseled regarding the importance of maintaining oral hygiene from a young age.

This case report should act as a cautionary tale not only for hospital clinicians but also for community medical and dental practitioners, as the number of such patients is expected to increase in the future.

Assessment of pathogenesis of infective endocarditis by plasma IgG antibody titer test against periodontal bacteria

Oral bacteria cause infective endocarditis (IE), so severe periodontitis is thought to be high risk for IE. We suggest the identification of high-risk patients by an IgG antibody titer test against periodontal bacteria might become common screening test.

Efficacy of Antibiotic Prophylactic Regimens for the Prevention of Bacterial Endocarditis of Oral Origin

Despite the controversy about the risk of individuals developing bacterial endocarditis of oral origin, numerous Expert Committees in different countries continue to publish prophylactic regimens for the prevention of bacterial endocarditis secondary to dental procedures. In this paper, we analyze the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of bacteremia following dental manipulations and in the prevention of bacterial endocarditis (in both animal models and human studies). Antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines remain consensus-based, and there is scientific evidence of the efficacy of amoxicillin in the prevention of bacteremia following dental procedures, although the results reported do not confirm the efficacy of other recommended antibiotics. The majority of studies on experimental models of bacterial endocarditis have verified the efficacy of antibiotics administered after the induction of bacteremia, confirming the efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in later stages in the development of bacterial endocarditis. There is no scientific evidence that prophylaxis with penicillin is effective in reducing bacterial endocarditis secondary to dental procedures in patients considered to be "at risk". It has been suggested that there is a high risk of severe allergic reactions secondary to prophylactically administered penicillins, but, in reality, very few cases have been reported in the literature. It has been demonstrated that antibiotic prophylaxis could contribute to the development of bacterial resistance, but only after the administration of several consecutive doses. Future research on bacterial endocarditis prophylactic protocols should involve the re-evaluation of the time and route of administration of antibiotic prophylaxis, and a search for alternative antimicrobials.

Knowledge of General Dentists and Senior Dental Students in Iran about Prevention of Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the endothelial surface of the heart and heart valves with serious, even fatal, complications and that often requires long-term and expensive treatment. Dental procedures may lead to IE in high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the knowledge of general dentists and dental students concerning the prevention of IE in Hamadan, Iran. In this cross-sectional study, the awareness of general dentists and dentistry students concerning the prevention of IE was evaluated during 2010. A questionnaire was prepared and administered to 58 final-year dental students and 96 general dental practitioners in Hamadan. A total of 154 persons completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of some demographic questions and questions about awareness of IE in three sections. The gathered data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and independent t-tests. The gathered data showed that dentistry students answered the questions about awareness of the prevention of IE more correctly than did general dentists. The overall knowledge of endocarditis prophylaxis among students and dentists was about 65% and 56%, respectively. The students' knowledge was better because 94.9% of the students had desired (acceptable) and relatively desired knowledge; this result for dentists, however, was 82.3%. In our study, the overall awareness level of the study population was moderate. Dentist and students believed that patients with prosthetic valves and previous IE were the most common cardiac disease cases that required prophylaxis. The most common prophylactic regimen was in accordance with the guidelines of the American Heart Association and was a single dose of 2 g amoxicillin 1 hour before treatment. The results indicated that gender had no effect on the level of knowledge; however, there was a statistically significant relationship between age and level of knowledge.

Behaviour and attitudes among Spanish general dentists towards the anticoagulated patient: a pilot study

AIM

To determine the attitude of Spanish general dentists in relation to dental extraction in patients with heart valve prostheses subjected to acenocoumarol anticoagulation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A telephone survey was made of Spanish general dentists, asking about the indicated approach in the case of performing dental extractions in patients with heart valve prostheses subjected to acenocoumarol (Sintrom) anticoagulation.

RESULTS

Of the 271 dentists answered, 175 were male (64.6%) and 96 were female (35.4%), with a mean professional experience of 20.17 +/- 9.3 years. A total of 228 dentists (84.1%) indicated the need to refer the patient to a specialist for establishing the required approach, while 43 dentists (15.9%) did not consider such a measure to be necessary. Among this latter group of 43 dentists, 26 (60.5%) considered that acenocoumarol should be withdrawn or replaced by low-molecular weight heparin, while 17 (39.5%) were of the opinion that the anticoagulation regimen should not be modified. In relation to the international normalized ratio, 36 (83.7%) did not consider it necessary to request this parameter. As regards the prevention of endocarditis, 11 (25.6%) specified the need for prophylaxis, although only eight (72.7%) did so correctly. There were no statistically significant differences in behaviour in relation to either gender or years of professional experience.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identifies a lack of knowledge on the part of the dentists regarding the approach to dental extraction in patients with heart valve prostheses subjected to anticoagulation. Due educational measures therefore should be reinforced among these professionals.

Investigation of bacteremia following nasotracheal intubation

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to detect the risk of bacteremia from nasotracheal intubation in children undergoing dental treatment under general anesthesia.

METHODS

Two 10 ml blood samples were taken, the first as a baseline and the second within 30 s following the nasotracheal intubation. The samples were inoculated into 5 ml aerobic and 5 ml anaerobic blood culture bottles. Following incubation in an automated blood culture system, bacteria were identified by using conventional biochemical methods and commercial identification systems. Mc Nemar's test was used to assess the findings statistically.

RESULTS

Of 74 patients only nine (12.3%) had positive blood cultures after the intubation and seven of these had been intubated without trauma. The incidence of bacteremia was significantly higher after atraumatic intubation (7/9) compared with traumatic intubation (2/9) (P < 0.05). The most common bacteria in positive cultures were Streptococcus viridans, four of 74 (5.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Since the occurrence of bacteremia after nasotracheal intubation is hazardous for patients at risk for developing infective endocarditis, to prevent further complications prophylactic antibiotic treatment is recommended.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in a patient with penicillin allergy and recurrent bacterial endocarditis: A case report

Bacterial endocarditis (BE) is a rare and life-threatening heart infection that can be caused by oral microorganisms. Patients with specific cardiac valvular abnormalities as well as those with a history of recurrent episodes of endocarditis are considered to be at high-risk for developing BE. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for high-risk individuals when bleeding is anticipated during dental procedures. Penicillins are the antibiotics of choice in preventing endocarditis, while other medications are indicated for patients with penicillin allergies. This case presentation outlines antibiotic prophylaxis prior to restorative care for a 44-year-old man who had a prosthetic heart valve, history of recurrent infective endocarditis and penicillin allergy. Intravenously administered vancomycin and gentamicin were prescribed due to the patients' level of risk and bleeding propensity. This article was written to raise the awareness of dental practitioners to the antibiotic prophylaxis options available for the treatment of patients with cardiac and associated systemic conditions.