Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Mouthwash Protocol and Prevalence of the Oral Pathogen IScardovia wiggsiae/I: A Pilot Study of Antibacterial Effects

• Published in: Methods and protocols Vol. 6; no. 4
• Main Authors: Shayegh, Melika, Sorenson, Chase, Downey, Jackson, Lin, Summer, Jiang, Yuxin, Sodhi, Praneeti, Sullivan, Victoria, Howard, Katherine M, Kingsley, Karl
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 01-07-2023
• Subjects: Antibacterial agents; Children; Health aspects; Toiletries industry; Nevada
• ISSN: 2409-9279; 2409-9279
• DOI: 10.3390/mps6040065

One protocol in healthcare facilities and dental offices due to the COVID-19 pandemic for reducing the amount of detectable oral SARS-CoV-2 has been gargling with mouthwash for 60 s. This protocol lasts longer than the daily routine for most patients and may have unexpected benefits in reducing oral microbes as a result. This project evaluated the prevalence of the newly identified oral pathogen Scardovia wiggsiae before and after this procedure to determine any measurable effects. Using an approved protocol, n = 36 pre-mouthwash patient samples, n = 36 matched post-mouthwash samples, and n = 36 matched recall samples were identified (total sample number n = 108). DNA was isolated from each sample (pre-, post-mouthwash, and recall). Screening using qPCR and validated primers revealed n = 10/36 or 27.8% tested positive for Scardovia among the pre-mouthwash (Sample A) isolates with n = 3/36 or 8.3% testing positive among the post-mouthwash (Sample B) isolates. Screening of the recall (Sample C) samples has revealed n = 10/36, or 27.8% once again tested positive for Scardovia, demonstrating that this pathogen was found among a significant proportion of pediatric patient samples. Moreover, the COVID-19-related procedure of requiring sustained mouth washing prior to clinical treatment appears to reduce the levels of detectable Scardovia, at least initially. However, this study found no long-term effects using this isolated protocol.