Abstract
Clarithromycin (CAM) concentrations in human serum, gingiva, mandibular bone, and dental follicle following a single oral administration of CAM (200 mg) were studied. The mean concentrations in serum, gingiva, mandibular bone, and dental follicle peaked at identical times, 2.5 h after administration, and were 1.46 μg/mL, 2.04, 1.35, and 1.94 μg/g, respectively. The mean concentration ratios of gingiva/serum, mandibular bone/serum, and dental follicle/serum at the peak time were 1.61, 1.02, and 1.67, respectively. Most of the CAM concentrations in gingiva, mandibular bone, and dental follicle exceeded the MIC for 80% of clinically isolated strains of oral streptococci. Thus, CAM may be a valuable antimicrobial agent for oral surgery.
