Citation: Weise, H., Naros, A., Weise, C., Reinert, S., & Hoefert, S. (2019). Severe odontogenic infections with septic progress – a constant and increasing challenge: a retrospective analysis. BMC oral health, 19(1), 173. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-019-0866-6

Name of article: Severe odontogenic infections with septic progress – a constant and increasing challenge: a retrospective analysis

Journal: BMC oral health

Year: 2019

Authors: Weise, H., Naros, A., Weise, C., Reinert, S., & Hoefert, S.

Type of article: retrospective analysis

The purpose of the study was to determine which factors make an odontogenic infection more likely to progress to sepsis and other complications, and management of severe infections. This retrospective analysis studied 483 patients with odontogenic infections who were admitted to a hospital over 5 years. 16 of those progressed to severe sepsis, with multiorgan dysfunction and prolonged hospital stays averaging 28 days. Diabetes, obesity, alcohol and nicotine use, and poor oral hygiene were found to be risk factors. The cultures taken intraoperatively were found to have the usual strep viridans bacteria that is commonly found in these infections. Bacteria was found to have reduced susceptibility to clindamycin, and good susceptibility to Zosyn overall. The authors describe that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to care for these patients including a surgical team and after care.

The authors did not mention any limitations in the article. The data seems to be limited by the sample size of patients who experienced severe infection (total of 16).