Antibiotic concentrations in saliva of purulent parotitis.

In patients with unilateral acute purulent parotitis treated with penicillin and doxycycline the antibiotic concentration was determined in plasma and saliva from both the healthy and the affected parotid gland. The results show that the penicillin concentrations in purulent saliva of the diseased gland is considerably higher than in non-purulent saliva of the healthy parotid gland. There was no such marked difference in concentrations of doxycycline. The possible mechanisms behind these observations are discussed as are the conclusions that can be drawn concerning treatment of acute purulent and chronic recurrent parotitis.