title: Antiseptic effect of a novel alcohol-free mouthwash: a convenient prophylactic alternative for high-risk patients.
abstract: We developed an efficacious and non-irritant mouthwash that is alcohol-free and that has a low concentration of chlorhexidine, in order to be used for preventing oral cavity infections in immunocompromised and cancer patients. The novel mouthwash solution was tested for its antimicrobial efficacy against both free floating (planktonic) and the biofilm forms of Candida albicans. The solution was also tested against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), using a modification of a previously published method. The activity of the novel mouthwash was also compared with that of three commercially available mouthwashes. The experimental mouthwash showed efficacy against C. albicans, both in free-floating form and in biofilm. With higher concentration of chlorhexidine, the solution was also efficacious in inhibiting the growth of K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and MRSA. The antiseptic activity of the alcohol-free mouthwash against other bacterial organisms and C. albicans was comparable to other commercially available alcohol-based mouthwash solutions. A novel alcohol-free mouthwash solution, that has low concentration of chlorhexidine, showed antiseptic effect against planktonic and biofilm forms of C. albicans and against K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and MRSA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 402, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bahna
authors.forename: Hend A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dvorak
authors.forename: Ara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaporciyan
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: Issam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Raad
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D000431:Ethanol; D006801:Humans; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D000431:Ethanol; C006798:brilliant green