Streptococcal bacteraemia in patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: the role of tooth brushing and use of chlorhexidine.

2009

A retrospective evaluation of 73 consecutive recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was conducted to investigated the role of oral care and incidence of streptococcal bacteremia in patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Patients were retrospectively evaluated and divided into group A (GA=38) and group B (GB=35). During hospitalization patients from GA performed oral hygiene daily with extra soft toothbrush and toothpaste besides performing mouth cleaning with an ethanol-free 0.12% chlorhexidine solution tree times a day. In contrast GB patients performed mouth cleaning with extra soft toothbrush and toothpaste, but no chlorhexidine was used. Usi…