Genomic identification and quantification of microbial species adhering to toothbrush bristles after disinfection: A cross-over study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this clinical investigation was to identify and quantify the microbial species adhering to toothbrush bristles after controlled brushing and storage in different antimicrobial agents.


METHODS
Sixteen healthy participants were enrolled in this study and randomly submitted to 4 interventions in a cross-over design: brushing and toothbrush storage in (I) Periogard/(II) Periobio (Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12%), (III) Cepacol (cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05%) and (IV) distilled water (positive control). Thirty-eight bacterial species including putative pathogens and 5 Candida spp. were assessed by Checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization.


RESULTS
The results of the study have shown a striking reduction of the total microbial counts, including bacteria and Candida spp., on the toothbrush bristles after storage in cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% (p < 0.0001). Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% showed no differences on the total bacterial count when compared to distilled water (p > 0.05). Cetylpyridinium chloride solution also presented the lowest genome counts and frequency of detection for individual target species; distilled water showed the highest individual genome counts (p < 0.05). Potential pathogenic species were recorded in moderate to high levels for chlorhexidine gluconate and distilled water.


CONCLUSIONS
Cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% was the most effective storage solution in the reduction of total and individual microbial counts, including pathogenic species.
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café s/n°, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-904, Brazil.
Cássio
C
do Nascimento
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café s/n°, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-904, Brazil.
Nayara Nascimento
NN
Trinca
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café s/n°, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-904, Brazil.
Murillo Sucena
MS
Pita
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. do Café s/n°, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-904, Brazil. Electronic address: pedrazzi@forp.usp.br.
Vinícius
V
Pedrazzi
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002594:Cetylpyridinium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D016681:Genome, Fungal; D023281:Genomics; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology; D014099:Toothbrushing; D055815:Young Adult
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009067:Mouthwashes; D002594:Cetylpyridinium; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine
Cross-over study; Genomic DNA; Microorganisms; Toothbrush