Recent findings indicate that the oral cavity acts as a bacterial reservoir and might contribute to the transmission of bacteria to the lower airways. Control of a potentially pathogenic microbiota might contribute to prevent the establishment of chronic infection in cystic fibrosis. We evaluated the presence of CF microorganisms in saliva and toothbrushes of CF patients and verify their possible transmission to lower airways.

Methods: We assessed the presence of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, S. maltophilia, A. xylosoxidans, S. marcescens, and yeasts in saliva, toothbrushes and sputum of 38 CF patients and assessed the clonal identity of the strains occurring contemporary in multiple sites by PFGE.

Results: At least one of the investigated species was isolated from 60 saliva samples and 23 toothbrushes. S. aureus was the most abundant species, followed by Candida spp. 31 patients contemporary had the same species in sputum and saliva/toothbrush: in most cases, clonal identity of the strains among the different sites was confirmed.

Conclusion: Toothbrushes may be sources of oral contamination and might act as reservoirs favoring transmission of potentially pathogenic microorganisms from the environment to the oral cavity and eventually to the LAW. Oral hygiene and toothbrush care are important strategies to prevent CF lung infections.

最近的发现表明，口腔起着细菌库的作用，并可能有助于细菌向下呼吸道的传播。控制潜在的致病菌群可能有助于防止在囊性纤维化中建立慢性感染。我们评估了CF患者唾液和牙刷中CF微生物的存在，并验证了它们可能传播至下呼吸道。

方法：我们评估了38例CF患者唾液，牙刷和痰液中铜绿假单胞菌，金黄色葡萄球菌，麦芽链球菌，木聚糖氧化杆菌，粘液链球菌和酵母菌的存在，并评估了在2008年发生的当代菌株的克隆身份。 PFGE的多个站点。

结果：从60份唾液样本和23支牙刷中分离出至少一种被调查物种。金黄色葡萄球菌是最丰富的物种，其次是念珠菌。31名当代患者在痰液和唾液/牙刷中具有相同的物种：在大多数情况下，已确认菌株在不同部位之间的克隆身份。

结论：牙刷可能是口腔污染的来源，并且可能充当有利于潜在致病微生物从环境向口腔乃至法律的传播的蓄水池。口腔卫生和牙刷护理是预防CF肺部感染的重要策略。