Effects of oral moisturising gel containing egg yolk antibodies against C andida albicans in older people

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of oral moisturising gel containing egg yolk antibody against C andida albicans (anti‐ CA IgY) in older people. Therefore, we measured the number of C andia CFU present on oral swabs at baseline and after using the gel. Methods A randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted among volunteers living in a nursing home in Japan. The participants were divided into two groups. The group 1 participants received oral care using an experimental oral moisturising gel with anti‐ CA IgY, and those in group 2 received oral care using a placebo oral moisturising gel without anti‐ CA IgY. The oral care was performed by care workers three times a day for 4 weeks. The participants’ tongues were sampled using a swab method at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks of using the oral gel, and the number of C . albicans , C andida tropicalis and C andida krusei colonies was counted. Results The baseline oral condition of the participants in the two groups did not differ significantly. The experimental gel significantly reduced the number of C . albicans colonies from baseline to after 4 weeks of using the oral gel; however, no significant reductions were observed in the number of C . tropicalis or C . krusei colonies. Conclusion The use of oral moisturising gel containing anti‐ CA IgY for 1 month significantly reduces the number of C . albicans CFU present on swabs in older people.