Effects of opium smoking cessation on the nasopharyngeal microbial flora.
BACKGROUND
To determine the effect of opium smoking cessation on the frequency and type of microorganisms in the nasopharynx of opium smokers.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study performed in psychology and ENT department of Moradi Hospital of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in 2008 (Kerman, Iran). Nasopharyngeal cultures were taken from 50 opium smokers before and 2 to 3 months after cessation of opium smoking. Potential pathogens were identified.


RESULTS
Eight potential pathogens were isolated from nasopharyngeal cultures obtained from 43 individuals before opium smoking cessation, and 4 were recovered from 33 individuals after cessation (P < 0.0001). Streptococcus pneumonia, staphylococcus saprofiticus, streptococos α hemolytic, and staphylococcus aureus in 2(nd) culture were not seen. The most sensitivity to antibiotics was related to ceftriaxone (84%), ciprofloxacin (74%) and cloxacillin (72%); the most resistance was to amoxicillin (26%) and the least resistance was to chloramphenicol.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, some potential pathogens decreased or even disapeared after opium cessation. Our patients have not been advised to change their number of cigarettes. We have used methadone pill for substitution of opium. It seems that opium smoking affects nasopharyngeal flora.
Assistant Professor of Otorhinolaryngology and Chief of Moradi Hospital, Departments of Otorhinolaryngology, Moradi Hospital, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Ali
A
Golshiri
Hospital Infection Control Nurse, Moradi Hospital, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Mohammad Reza
MR
Mokhtaree
Specialist in Infectious Disease, Ali-ibn- Abitalib Hospital, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Ziba
Z
Shabani
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of School of Medicine, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Sayed Taghi
ST
Tabatabaee
Pathologist, Vice Chancellor of Treatment, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Amir
A
Rahnama
Assistant Professor of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Mohammad
M
Moradi
Ocupational Therapist, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Ahamad Reza
AR
Sayadi
Medical Student, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Hadi
H
Faezi
Microbial flora; Nasaopharynx; Opium