Jan 13 2022

A research team led by Dr. SUWABE Tatsuya of the Department of Hematology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Niigata University Faculty of Medicine (Professor SONE Hirohito) and Assistant Professor FUSE Kyoko and Professor MASUKO Masayoshi of the Department of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital collaborated with Associate Professor KATSURA Kouji of the Department of Oral Radiology, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospitals to demonstrate the effectiveness of intensive oral care by a dental specialist in reducing bloodstream infection (Note 2) during allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (Note 1). This research revealed the importance of intense medical and dental collaboration, one of the features of Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, in hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

Research Results

• Allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is mainly performed for hematological diseases but may cause bloodstream infection, i.e., serious life-threatening infection due to temporary immunosuppression.
• In patients who received regular intensive oral care by a dental specialist, the incidence of bloodstream infection was reduced to about one-third after neutrophil recovery.
• This research indicates the importance of medical and dental collaboration in hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

[Glossary]

Note 1: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation
Hematopoietic stem cells produce all types of blood cells in the bone marrow. Hematopoietic stem cells collected from a donor are transplanted to a patient after treatment with anticancer drugs, etc., to cure illness. This may also be performed for some congenital diseases, besides hematological diseases. This therapy causes transient but severe immunodeficiency.
Note 2: Bloodstream infection
Positive blood test for bacteria (bacteremia).

Publication Details

Journal: Supportive Care in Cancer
Title: Intensive oral care can reduce bloodstream infection with coagulase-negative staphylococci after neutrophil engraftment in allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation
Authors: Tatsuya Suwabe, Kyoko Fuse, Kouji Katsura, Marie Soga, Takayuki Katagiri, Yasuhiko Shibasaki, Miwako Narita, Hirohito Sone, Masayoshi Masuko
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06447-8