Adesione batterica nei materiali di sutura utilizzati in odontoiatria: valutazione mediante metodi molecolari

Aim of the work. Bacteria adhesion on both silk and nylon suture has been evaluated in vivo by using molecular biology approach. Materials and methods. Two silk and two nylon stitches were removed on 11 patients 10 days after oral surgery treatment and sent straight to the laboratory for a PCR real time assay. Bacterial load on each sample was then quantified through 16S rRNA gene analysis. Results and conclusion. The highest number of bacteria was detected on the silk suture as the Nylon suture bacterial load was 4.5 times lower than the silk one. Although the silk is still the most used suture material in oral surgery this paper shows how high its bacterial load is when it is in place. It also suggests to avoid using the silk on those patients who have either any immunity system disorders or immuno-suppression treatment in progress, and those who cannot look after properly at their own oral hygiene because of mental illness or physical handicap