Dental practitioners’ knowledge and attitude regarding the use of silver diamine fluoride for the management of dental caries

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and attitude among Libyan dental practitioners in Benghazi pertaining to the use of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF).

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which the data was collected via a validated and published questionnaire. The study was conducted using an online and a papered questionnaire. A random sampling of Libyan dental practitioners filled out a 3-section Likert-scale questionnaire including multiple questions determining demographic data, knowledge, attitude, SDF’s potential future use, and actual use of SDF in dental practitioner’s own practiced life.

Results: A total of 204 Libyan dental practitioners working in Benghazi public hospitals completed the survey. Their ages ranged from 20 to 59, the age group 20–30 years, representing 87 (43%), followed by the age group 30–40 representing 64 (31%). Gender-wise distribution revealed male number 54 (27%) almost third of female number 149 (73%). Almost half of participants were general dentists 98 (48%). When asked about their opinion on SDF usage, the majority of the participants agreed that SDF could be used to arrest cavitated lesions (69.5%), to arrest non-cavitated lesions (70%), should be placed under all restoration (65.9%) and should be placed under all restoration at caries risk patients (76.8%).

Conclusion: The knowledge and attitude of dental practitioners in Libya regarding SDF was evaluated and as such the aim of this study was accomplished. However, based on our findings, more studies are needed to assess the SDF's acceptance, implementation, and the difficulty of its adoption due to the lack of available data on its use.

The Development of a PCR-based method for the detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenem resistance genes in clinical specimens

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP) has shown increasing resistance to carbapenems, which are among the last-resort antibiotics. Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) poses significant challenges in healthcare settings due to its resistance to even potent antibiotics, making infections difficult to treat and control. CRKP is often associated with severe complications such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients.

Aim: This study emphasizes the need for specific identification protocols, individualized therapy, and effective infection prevention measures to control the spread of CRKP.

Materials and Methods: A total of 300 clinical specimens were collected from patients at Al-Hilla Teaching Hospital between April and September 2024, including blood (3), urine (2), wounds (10), and burns (10). Bacteria were isolated using standard media, identified using the VITEK-2 system, and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing according to CLSI guidelines (2024). PCR was employed to detect carbapenem resistance genes (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA).

Results: Of the 300 specimens, 25 (8.33%) were identified as K. pneumoniae. PCR-based methods enabled rapid detection of resistance genes: blaKPC (96%), blaNDM (80%), and blaOXA (72%). Biochemical tests confirmed positive results for urease, methyl red, citrate, and indole tests. The VITEK-2 system facilitated extensive phenotypic and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Resistance patterns varied, with susceptibility highest to carbapenems and lowest to ampicillin (100% resistance). Molecular detection of the 16S rRNA gene achieved 100% accuracy.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical threat posed by CRKP and underscore the importance of molecular diagnostics in detecting resistance genes. This research contributes to understanding carbapenem resistance mechanisms, guiding the development of effective treatment strategies.

Journal of Advance Medical Sciences

Dental practitioners’ knowledge and attitude regarding the use of silver diamine fluoride for the management of dental caries

The Development of a PCR-based method for the detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenem resistance genes in clinical specimens