Molecular characterization and antibacterial activity of oral antibiotics and copper nanoparticles against endodontic pathogens commonly related to health care-associated infections.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out molecular characterization and determine the antibacterial activity of oral antibiotics and copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) against endodontic strains isolated from persistent infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Root canal samples from 24 teeth in different patients with persistent endodontic infections were obtained. The isolated strains were identified by biochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequencing. Genotyping was achieved by molecular methods. The antibacterial activity of antibiotics and copper nanostructures was determined by using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. Furthermore, a time-kill kinetics assay was evaluated. Nonparametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA) were performed (p value <0.05). RESULTS: Twenty-one isolated strains were identified. Six isolates of Enterococcus faecalis were grouped into two clusters of three isolates each, two of which were clones. All were clarithromycin-resistant and erythromycin. Eight Pseudomonas putida presented two clusters, two Pseudomonas spp. were not clonal, and all were resistant to the tested antibiotics except tetracycline. Two of five strains of Cutibacterium acnes were clonal, and all were resistant only to metronidazole. The lowest MIC and MBC values were obtained with Cu-NPs. Time-kill kinetics using Cu-NPs showed a significant decrease in all tested species within 4 h and reached 100% in 2 h for C. acnes. CONCLUSION: In this study, in relation to health care-associated infections, endodontic strains of each species isolated at least in one patient were polyclonal. In Pseudomonas spp., at least one clone was shared between patients. E. faecalis and C. acnes strains were susceptible to low Cu-NP concentrations, while Pseudomonas spp. strains were resistant. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Assessing and keeping track of the susceptibility of clinical strains to antimicrobial compounds is important for the clinical outcome. Based on our results, Cu-NPs could be an alternative for endodontic treatment, in order to avoid selection of resistant strains.

Índice de Higiene Oral en los Escolares de 12 años de la Parroquia Checa en el Cantón Cuenca, Provincia del Azuay - Ecuador, 2016 / Oral hygiene index in 12-year-old schoolchildren of the Checa parish in Canton Cuenca, Province of Azuay, Ecuador, 2016

Objetivo: Determinar el Índice de Higiene Oral en escolares de 12 años, de la Parroquia Checa del Cantón Cuenca, Provincia del Azuay ­ Ecuador, 2016. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal; la técnica empleada para determinar el estado del perfil epidemiológico fue observacional. Los indicadores se lograron obtener por una encuesta estructurada. Resultados: De los 109 escolares de 12 años encuestados se observó un ligero predominio del sexo femenino (58%) sobre el sexo masculino (42%). Además, se determinó que el 47,7% presenta una buena higiene oral, el 36,7% una higiene oral excelente, el 14,7% una higiene oral regular y el 0,9% una mala higiene oral, dando como resultado que más de la mitad de los escolares presentan un IHO bueno y excelente. Conclusión: Existe un mayor número de escolares con higiene oral buena sin encontrar variación significativa en cuanto al sexo masculino con el femenino.

Objective: To determine the Oral Hygiene Index in schoolchildren aged 12,from the Checa parish of Canton Cuenca, Province of Azuay, Ecuador, 2016. Materials and methods: Descriptive crosssectional study; the observational technique was applied to determinethe state of the epidemiological profile. The indicators were obtained through astructured survey. Results: In the 109 schoolchildren surveyed, there was as light predominance of females (58%) over males (42%). In addition, 47.7% presented good oral hygiene, 36.7% excellent oral hygiene, 14.7% regular oralhygiene and 0.9% poor oral hygiene, therefore, over half the students presenta good or excellent OHI. Conclusion: Most schoolchildren have good oral hygiene, and there are no significant variations in terms of sex.

Objetivo: Determinar o Índice de Higiene Oral em escolares de 12 anos, da Vila Checa do cidade de Cuenca, Estado de Azuay- Equador, 2016. Materiais e métodos: Estudo descritivo transversal; A técnica utilizada para determinar o status do perfil epidemiológico foi observacional. Os indicadores foram obtidos por meio de uma pesquisa estruturada. Resultados: Dos 109 escolares de 12 anos pesquisados, observouse discreto predomínio do sexo feminino (58%) em relação ao sexo masculino (42%). Além disso, determinou-se que 47,7% apresentavam boa higiene bucal, 36,7% excelente higiene bucal, 14,7% higiene bucal regular e 0,9% má higiene bucal, resultando em mais da metade dos estudantes apresentam um bom e excelente IHO.Conclusão: Existe um número maior de escolares com boa higiene bucal sem encontrar variação significativa no sexo masculino com o feminino.