Identification and Epidemiological Analysis of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in the Oral Microbiome of the Population in Pakistan

Background Antibiotic resistance in the oral microbiome poses serious health risks worldwide, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan. Public health efforts are challenged by the potential of the oral cavity to serve as a reservoir for resistant bacteria due to its frequent exposure to antibiotics. Objective This study aimed to identify and analyze the prevalence and epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant bacteria within the oral microbiome of the Pakistani population. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted at Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, and Gomal Medical College, Dera Ismail Khan, from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 290 participants, aged 18 years or older, were recruited based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Oral swabs were collected and analyzed using conventional culture methods. All descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with a significance level set at p