Clinical Science Oral Colonization and Susceptibility Testing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Oral Isolates from Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Abstract

Microbial samples from the oral cavities of 20 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and 20 age-matched normal control subjects were characterized. Mucoid variant P. aeruginosa was isolated from the tongue, buccal mucosa and saliva of CF patients only. Analysis of the data suggests that the oral cavity is a potential reservoir for this organism. Aspiration and cross-contamination from this reservoir may be important in perpetuating chronic pulmonary infection in CF patients. Susceptibility testing was performed on 20 mucoid variant P. aeruginosa oral isolates obtained from the patients according to standardized broth dilution procedures. The in vitro antimicrobial effects of sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride and chlorhexidine were measured. Clinically safe and achievable levels of chlorhexidine and stannous fluoride may be antimicrobial.