The Japanese Journal of Dysphagia Rehabilitation
Online ISSN : 2434-2254
Print ISSN : 1343-8441
Original Paper
Number of Bacteria Adhered to an Oral Swab after Use and Effects of Washing and Drying
Junya INUBUSHIHiromi TSUMAKIYojiro OTAToru EGUCHI
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2014 Volume 18 Issue 3 Pages 221-228

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Abstract

Background and Objective: Patients with cancer associated with recurrent stomatitis and patients who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are required to clean their oral mucosa using an oral swab, as an important infection control measure. An oral swab should be used as a disposable device in consideration of hygiene, but may sometimes be used several times in clinical settings. The aim of this study was to identify the number of bacteria adhering to oral swabs after use and to evaluate the effects of washing and drying and differences in the materials of oral swabs on the number of adhesive bacteria, with the overall goal of understanding the bacterial contamination status.

Materials and Methods: (1) Number of adhesive bacteria after single use of two oral swabs: Nine healthy subjects (aged 20–60 years old) were provided with two oral swabs and instructed to wipe the oral mucosa for 1 min. Then, the number of bacteria adhered to these oral swabs (Log CFU) were counted using a culture method.

(2) The oral swab was collected after use to evaluate and compare the effects of washing methods (water in a glass, running water), the presence or absence of squeezing, surface roughness of the oral swab, and drying time on the number of bacteria adhering to the oral swab.

(3) The bacterial species detected after washing and drying of the oral swab were isolated for Gram staining and hemolysis and to observe the morphology.

Results: The median number of adhesive bacteria on two oral swabs immediately after use (Log CFU) were 8.09±0.55 (minimum: 7.75, maximum: 9.29), 8.54±0.52 (minimum: 7.86, maximum: 9.34), respectively. There was no significant differences between two oral swabs.

The number of bacteria adhered to the oral swab after use decreased significantly after washing with running water compared to water in a glass and after squeezing compared to omission of squeezing. The texture of the oral swab did not decrease the number of adhesive bacteria after washing and drying. Bacteria were detected even after the oral swab was dried for 72 h at 37℃. All isolated species were Grampositive cocci, coccobacilli or bacilli, except for one Gram-negative bacterium.

Conclusion: Some washing and storing conditions decreased the number of bacteria adhered to an oral swab after use, but it was difficult to completely remove all bacteria. Reuse of an oral swab increases the risk of infection and should not be permitted.

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© 2014 The Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation
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