Octenidine Lozenges Intended for Oral Administration Display In Vitro Activity Against Oropharyngeal Pathogens and...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Pharyngitis often leads to unnecessary antibiotic use, contributing to antibiotic resistance and microbiota disruption.
• Current topical treatments' effects on host microbiota are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of octenidine lozenges.
• To assess octenidine's impact on oral, pharyngeal, and intestinal commensal microbiota.
• To determine octenidine's safety profile regarding systemic absorption.

Main Methods:

• In vitro testing of octenidine lozenges against 106 microbial strains.
• Determination of minimal biocidal concentrations (MBCs) and minimal biofilm eradication concentrations (MBECs).
• In silico ADME analysis for systemic absorption and physiological exposure times.

Main Results:

• Octenidine eradicated oropharyngeal pathogens in vitro at relevant concentrations.
• Intestinal commensals remained largely unaffected by octenidine.
• Octenidine's effect on oral commensals mimicked mechanical cleaning.
• In silico analysis showed no significant systemic absorption.

Conclusions:

• Octenidine lozenges demonstrate potent in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against relevant pathogens.
• Topical octenidine treatment for pharyngitis appears safe for the gut microbiota.
• Findings support octenidine lozenges as a safe, targeted therapy for sore throats.