[A comparison between 2 different methods for calculating the percentage of anaerobic microorganisms in the...

The percentage of anaerobic micro-organisms in the subgingival microflora represents a simple microbiological index which not only refers to the state but also the risks of periodontal health. The present study aimed to compare two different methods of calculating this index. The study was performed in 45 subjects with moderate gingivitis provoked by the previous application of dental fixtures anchored to both arches. A sample of subgingival microflora was collected from each patient at the level of the vestibular gingival sulcus of the first upper right molar. This was then vortexed, diluted and inoculated in three series of plates. It was chosen to use Walker's culture medium. The total bacterial count was evaluated by incubating the first series of plates in anaerobiosis; the anaerobic bacterial was calculated by subtracting from the total the of facultative aerobic-anaerobic micro-organisms, which in turn was obtained using two methods: the first (method AE) consisted of incubating another series of plates in aerobiosis; the second (method M) involved incubating the last series of plates in anaerobiosis, and adding metronidazole to the culture medium in a solution of 2.5 mg/l. The plates were then kept at 37 degrees C for seven days. The mean percentage of anaerobic microorganisms, given by the percentage ratio between anaerobic and total, relating to the 45 cases studied, was as follows: using method AE: 57.8 +/- 26.3%, and using method M: 40.2 +/- 27.2%. Both figures come close to that proposed and calculated using a much more sophisticated method by Slots, namely 41.5 +/- 19.2% in the event of gingivitis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)