BACTERIAL ISOLATES FROM PLAQUE AND FROM BLOOD DURING AND AFTER ROUTINE DENTAL PROCEDURES IN DOGS

Objective- This study evaluates the association between dental procedu res and bacteremia in dogs, including a comparison of bacteria isolate d from plaque and blood, severity of the bacteremia versus the severit y of dental disease, and the longevity of bacteremia. Study Design- Ba cteria cultured from the blood over time were compared with those isol ated from the plaque and crevicular fluid and in relation to severity of dental disease. Animals or Sample Population- Twenty adult greyhoun ds. Methods- Blood samples were collected for culture before induction of general anesthesia, immediately after intubation, 20 minutes after initiation of the dental procedure, and at 10-minute intervals until 10 minutes after the dental procedure was completed. Samples of plaque were taken for microbiological culture. Results- Sixty to ninety perc ent of the bacterial genera isolated from the plaque were present in t he blood. Dogs classified according to severity of dental disease show ed no difference in the total number of different species or number of different Gram-negative, Gram-positive, or anaerobic bacteria isolate d from plaque or blood (P <.05). Bacteremia was present in all of the dogs studied, within 40 minutes from the initiation of the dental proc edure, regardless of the severity of oral disease. Conclusions- Gram-n egative, Gram-positive, and anaerobic bacteria an present in blood dur ing dental procedures, the bacteremia can persist beyond the dental pr ocedure, and is not associated with the severity of dental disease. Cl inical Relevance- The nature and extent of bacteremia occuring during routine dental procedures is important in understanding a potential ri sk to dogs. (C) Copyright 1997 by The American College of Veterinary S urgeons