Mouth wash samples to predict bone marrow transplant results

Taking a sample of the mouth rinse solution can be of help to decide how far the bone marrow transplants are successful in patients.

Oral mouth rinse of the patients of bone marrow transplant can be tested for neutrophils, which are the white blood cells that fight infection in the body. Patients of bone marrow transplant are routinely advised mouth washes to counteract the problem of mucositis that may be caused by their treatment procedure.

Researchers of University of Toronto have found that testing the basic sodium bicarbonate solutions for neutrophils may be compared with the blood test of the patients of bone marrow transplant. The research results have showed the presence of white blood cells in the sample of the mouth wash about a week before the patients’ blood samples showed the white blood cells. Researchers feel that the time difference of less than four days can be set as the parameter for the success of bone marrow transplant for the patients.

The researchers who had drawn their conclusion from parallel mouse studies are currently experimenting with discovering an easy test that will help the mouth wash samples from the patients to turn color when the white blood cells will be detected in the sample.

Reference: Bone Marrow Transplantation, June 2005