[Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the oral cavity: occurrence and age distribution of adult germ carriers].

Among 500 patients of a rural general practice, 4,4% proved to be oropharyngeal carriers of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as shown by examination of mouth rinse fluid through enrichment in malachite-green-broth followed by isolation on Pseudosel-Agar at 42 degrees C. Most positive samples were found in persons 54-63 years old. There were no significant sex differences. The isolation of Ps. aeruginosa showed no relation to visible inflammatory processes in the oral cavity, to dentures, diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory disease, former antibiotic treatment or smoking habits. The age distribution of the carriers cannot be explained.