Evaluation of the microbial burden using rinsing of the oral cavity in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation

: We report the methodology and the results of our research on the total microbic charge of the oral cavity carried out in 35 (thirty-five) patients undergoing bone marrow transplant and selective decontamination at the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Perugia, between July 1985 and December 1988. The specimens, obtained by washing the oral cavity for 15 seconds with 10 ml of sterile distilled water, were taken from each patient during his stay in the Laminar Air Flow Room (from day -7 to day +28 of the transplant). The first sample was taken before starting the selective decontamination and the microbiological controls were carried out weekly. The quantitative determination of the microbic charge was made by diluting and plating, while selective media for gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms were used for the qualitative evaluation. The results obtained prove the effectiveness of the mouth-wash method as an instrument for the evaluation of microbial contamination of the "mouth"-area, since it determines the oral microbic flora by standardized counting and testing methods which are simple to use and give rapid and reliable results. Furthermore, this method has proved to be especially useful for studying the effectiveness of the decontamination and chemoprophylaxis treatments carried out on the patients undergoing bone marrow transplants.