title: Validation of the anti-bacteremic efficacy of an essential oil rinse in a Brazilian population: a cross-over study.
abstract: This cross-over study was conducted to assess the germ-killing efficacy of an essential oil mouthrinse (EOM) by determining the blood levels of microorganisms associated with induced bacteremia and investigating the prevalence of this event in Brazilians with mild-to-moderate gingivitis. Thirty four (31.19%) subjects positive for bacteremia induced by chewing a ration of apple were enrolled out of 109 screened subjects (50 males and 59 females). A difference of at least 10 colony forming units between the pre- and post-insult blood samples was defined as a positive result. For the following two weeks patients underwent a toothbrush plus fluoride dentifrice normalization period, and were then scheduled for the Phase I protocol as follows. At baseline I, subjects were instructed to chew a new apple ration, had new blood samples taken before and after this oral stimulus, and were randomly assigned to an experimental essential oil (n = 17) or placebo (P) mouthrinse (n = 17) treatment for 2 weeks. These procedures were repeated at the end of Phase I and then followed by a two-week wash-out period (tooth brushing with fluoride dentifrice). Bacteremia was again induced at baseline and at the end of Phase II, when subjects were crossed-over to the other EOM or placebo groups. Bacterial count differences between baseline and 2-week post-treatment (EOM versus P) in the blood samples collected were assessed by analysis of covariance. Mean aerobic counts decreased by 45.8%, whereas mean anaerobic counts decreased by 63.3% after EOM treatment. After the P treatment, aerobic bacteria increased by 28.4% and anaerobic bacteria decreased by 18.5%. This study validated this novel methodology and showed that the germ-killing action of EOM significantly reduced bacteremia.
authors.affiliation: Nucleus of Periodontal Research, Department of Periodontology, Dentistry School, Univ of Taubate, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Roberto
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Cortelli
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cogo
authors.forename: Davi Romeiro
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Aquino
authors.forename: Sheila Cavalca
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Cortelli
authors.forename: Danette
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ricci-Nittel
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Marcelo Werneck Barata de
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Araujo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013234:Stem Cells; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009067:Mouthwashes; D009822:Oils, Volatile