Antiseptic mouthwash for gonorrhoea prevention (OMEGA): a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, multicentre trial
In this study (n=530), use of Listerine mouthwash daily for 12 weeks did not reduce the incidence of oropharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection when compared to Biotene in men who have sex with men (7% v 4%; adjusted risk difference 2.5%, 95% CI −1.8 to 6.8).
Source:
The Lancet Infectious Diseases
SPS commentary:
The current study utilised Biotene mouthwash as a control, as it had previously been shown to have minimal in-vitro antimicrobial activity.
A Comment discusses the results of this study and those of the PReGo study, which found no benefit for Listerine Cool Mint mouthwash in the prevention of STIs in men who have sex with men taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. It discusses their limitations and concludes that they show that “more research is required to find safe and effective antiseptic interventions against the rising epidemics of bacterial STIs and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.”