Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy
Published on: October 20, 2011
Methicillin-resistant staphylococci carriage in the oral cavity: a study conducted in Bari (Italy)
A Buonavoglia1, F Latronico, M F Greco
1School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Objectives:
The oral cavity may represent a site of colonization by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS). To define the prevalence of staphylococci and MRS in the oral cavity, an observational study was carried out in the city of Bari (Italy).
Methods:
Sixty subjects were asked to provide oral samples and a questionnaire about risk factors of colonization by MRS. An enrichment medium specific for staphylococci was used for the isolation.
Results:
Swabs and corresponding questionnaires were available from 36 out of 60 patients. Staphylococci were isolated from seven out of 36 samples (prevalence 19.4%). Among the seven staphylococcal isolates, three were Staphylococcus aureus, and one strain, belonging to S. epidermidis species, was found to be MR (1.7%). No methicillin-resistant S. aureus were isolated. Five out of seven staphylococcal isolates exhibited resistance to more than two classes of non-beta-lactams antimicrobials. None of the risk factors analysed correlated with the status of MRS carriers, except the presence of oral disease.
Conclusions:
The results underline the potential role of the oral cavity as a reservoir of staphylococci.
Related Concept Videos
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
The Oral Microbiota
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.