Phenotypic characterization of bacterial species associated with periodontitis among patients attending Makerere, Mengo and Mulago Paramedical Dental Clinics in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Periodontitis is a prevalent dental disease often linked to bacterial infections, leading to inflammation and the deterioration of tissues supporting the teeth. The disease caused by pathogenic microbes forming biofilms in the mouth and resistant to antibiotics, posing a significant public health challenge. However, there is limited data on the bacterial species associated with periodontitis in Kampala, Uganda. This study was to determine the phenotypic characterization of bacterial species associated with periodontitis among patients attending the Makerere, Mengo and Mulago Paramedical School Dental Clinics. 69 suspected patients with periodontitis participated in the study. Clinical and demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire by our interviewers. The patients provided subgingival plaque samples, collected with Amie’s transport medium with a sterile cotton swab. The swabs were placed into an Thioglycollate broth for 5-7days cultured in an enriched medium, using the Columbia Blood Agar Base with and supplemented with 5% Sheep Blood. Plates were placed in an aerobic and anaerobic environment, both plates were incubated at 37°C for 18-72 hours and bacterial species were isolated and examined using various methods, Gram staining, biofilm analysis, biochemical testing, the MALDI-TOF and Phoenix machines. In the studies we discovered 22/69 participants were diagnosed with periodontitis with a greater rates associated with poor oral hygiene and co-existing health conditions. Male patients and those with systemic illnesses demonstrated more severe periodontal damage. Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were identified as key pathogens responsible for inflammation and tissue loss. Antibiotic susceptibility tests using the Phoenix revealed that Metronidazole, Clindamycin, Amoxicillin and Tetracycline had Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC). This shows that these antibiotics may be useful in treating resistant or recurring periodontitis. Periodontal disease is very common in Uganda, emphasizing the need for oral health programs to help educate the younger generation. The findings emphasize the importance of performing MIC tests to guide antibiotic selection. Alternative approaches are advised for identifying bacterial species linked with periodontal diseases. That environmental factors also play a role in the severity and treatment response of periodontal disease.