Abstract:
Introduction. Orofacial space infections are common presentations in maxillofacial clinics even in the post-antibiotic
era. One of the main factors determining the spread of infection is the host defense mechanism. Diabetes is one of the
most common systemic illness suppressing the immunity of an individual and increasing their susceptibility to
infections. This study was carried out to compare the spaces involved, the severity of infection, the virulent organism,
the efficacy of empirical antibiotics, the length of hospital stay, and the complications encountered in the management
of maxillofacial space infection of odontogenic origin in diabetic patients as compared with nondiabetic patients.
Methodology. A 4-year prospective study was carried out on patients with maxillofacial space infection of
odontogenic origin. The patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of presence or absence of diabetes.
Results. A total of 111 patients were identified out of which 31 were diabetic. The organisms commonly isolated were
Streptococcus species with submandibular space being the most common space involved in both the groups. The
empirical antibiotic used was amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid combined with metrogyl in 70.27% cases.
Conclusion. Streptococcus species is still the most common causative pathogen irrespective of the diabetic status of
the patient. The same empirical antibiotic therapy of amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid combined with metrogyl along
with hyperglycemia control and surgical drainage of infection yielded satisfactory resolution of infection in the diabetic
patients as well.
