Bacteremia after dental treatment in mentally handicapped people

Bacteremia may occur after disruption of the oral mucous membrane. particul arly after dental treatment. 18 mentally handicapped patients who underwent dental treatment with general anesthesia were included in our study. None of the patients had general illnesses or received antibiotic protection. Fr om each patient several blood samples were drawn aseptically during dental treatment and cultured. The majority of aerobic bacteria recovered belonged to Streptococcus sp and Gemella sp., anaerobic bacteria mainly belonged to Porphyromonas gingivalis and Peptostreptococcus sp. Resistance of the isol ated bacteria to penicillin as well as to oxacillin, erythromycin and Co-tr imoxazole was substantial. The highest resistance rate could be shown again st fucidic acid.