Special Precautions/Comments:

N.B. If angular cheilitis and/or peri-oral infection is suspected: swabs should be taken from the lesions themselves. Swabs should also be collected from relevant intra-oral sites, for example, denture-fitting surface and the anterior nares.

Interferences:  Antibiotics may affect growth of certain bacteria.

Method:  Culture on selective media. Isolates will be identified where clear. Where identification is not clear a likely/possible identity will be given until additional tests can be performed to confirm identity. Significant isolates will undergo antibiotic susceptibility testing.  Calibration: N/A.  EQA scheme: NEQAS EQA scheme. IQC: Regular resubmission of anonymised patient samples.

Interpretation: Negative cultures will be reported as No growth. Typical/expected oral flora (Enterobacteriaceae) will be reported as No bacterial pathogens isolated, these samples will not receive further identification and testing. Significant organisms will be identified and tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Please note that yeast isolates will be identified but are not routinely be tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Where Group A Beta haemolytic Streptococcus species are isolated, the Consultant Microbiologist will be informed upon identification and clinical comment will be provided where appropriate.

Additional Information:

Background information:  Infections of the oral mucosa usually present as acute conditions. Usually, these arise from the colonising oral flora but can also result from a flare-up of a chronic low-grade infection. Oral mucosal infections are typically associated with biofilms formed on the inanimate surfaces present in the oral cavity such as the teeth and dentures.

Microbiological examination of mouth swabs can help to guide symptomatic treatment of the following complications:

• Oral mucositis
• Erythematous and pseudomembranous candidosis
• Angular cheilitis and peri-oral infections
• Staphylococcal mucositis
• Oral ulceration

Keywords: Mouth, oral, dentures, ulcer, thrush