Xylitol - Healthcare Associated Infection Reduction in Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Healthcare Associated Infection Reduction in Stem Cell Transplant Patients: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating Twice Daily Xylitol Administration

The central hypothesis is that daily dental xylitol wipes, in addition to current oral care practice, are effective at reducing BSI from oral organisms, and decreasing the incidence of gingivitis, oral plaque, and oral ulcerations after SCT.

Our long-term goal is to develop and disseminate clinically relevant, and easily adoptable strategies to prevent BSI and improve outcomes after SCT. The overall objective of this proposal is to identify a clinically effective strategy to prevent or reduce BSI secondary to bacterial translocation through oral injured mucosa .

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients of any age undergoing SCT.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Prior proton or photon radiation treatment for cancer of the oral cavity, head or neck; cranial boost in patients receiving total body irradiation; known history of allergy to xylitol; inability to use a mouth rinse or dental wipes.