Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 8, 2025
Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
Published on: March 1, 2015
Microbiological analysis of water and thickeners used for people with dysphagia
Elizabeth Boaden1, Lois Thomas2, Susan Caroline3
1Senior Research Fellow, the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston.
Abstract:
Thickened fluids are a recognised intervention strategy in use for people with dysphagia. However, their bacterial profile has not previously been examined.
Aims:
To identify bacteria and changes in bacterial profiles in a range of water sources and thickener preparations over a 5-day period.
Methods:
Nine experiments were performed using a range of preparations (sterile, drinking, non-drinking tap water) and a thickening agent (sterile sachet and a used tin).
Findings:
No bacteria were grown on serial subcultures of sterile water, both with and without thickener. Drinking, tap and thickened water left at room temperature for 24 hours may become contaminated with environmental organisms.
Conclusions:
The growth of bacteria in preparations of thickening agent appears to be dependent upon water quality, while the proliferation of bacteria is dependent upon the length of time the preparation is allowed to stand at room temperature.
More Related Videos
12:50Colorimetric Paper-based Detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes from Large Volumes of Agricultural Water
Published on: June 9, 2014
06:58Analysis of Interactions between Endobiotics and Human Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Bath Fermentation Systems
Published on: August 23, 2019