Could a mouthwash replace a tube down your throat to diagnose pneumonia?
NCT ID NCT00342589
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Sep 17, 2026 · Updated 16 times
Summary
This study tests whether a simple salt-water mouth rinse can detect pneumocystis, a lung infection that can be life-threatening in people with weak immune systems. Current diagnosis requires coughing up sputum or a tube inserted into the lungs, which can be uncomfortable. Researchers will compare the oral rinse method with standard tests in over 1,000 participants, including patients with HIV, cancer, or organ transplants, as well as healthy volunteers.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a simple, non-invasive oral rinse test for diagnosing pneumocystis pneumonia, replacing uncomfortable procedures like bronchoscopy.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early diagnostic study, not a treatment trial. The oral wash may not detect enough organisms to be reliable, and results may not change current clinical practice.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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1,015 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 1999
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Patients (male or female) who are immunosuppressed with acute pneumonia and are undergoing or have undergone a clinically indicated procedure, such as bronchoscopy or sputum induction, to obtain a respiratory sample for diagnostic purposes. AND Patients (male or female) who are immunosuppressed with acute pneumonia or individuals likely to be exposed to environmental or person-to-person sources of organisms, including healthy volunteers (with or without respiratory disease), health care professionals, patient families, or other patients in health care facilities who are willing to provide oral washes, nasal samples or blood samples and to consider providing an induced sputum sample.
- Ages
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3 to 99 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: Either: A. Patients (male or female) who are immunosuppressed with acute pneumonia and are undergoing or have undergone a clinically indicated procedure, such as bronchoscopy or sputum induction, to obtain a respiratory sample for diagnostic purposes. or B. Patients (male or female) who are immunosuppressed with acute pneumonia or individuals likely to be exposed to environmental or person-to-person sources of organisms, including healthy volunteers (with or without respiratory disease), health care professionals, patient families, or other patients in health care facilities who are willing to provide oral washes, nasal samples or blood samples and to consider providing an induced sputum sample. All ages greater than or equal to 3 years. Ability of individual or guardian to give informed consent. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: For enrollment under category B, any individual who cannot safely provide an oral wash or nasal samples (nasopharyngeal swabs, or nasal washes) as determined by the health care provider. Pregnancy and age are not exclusion factors. Nasal specimens will not be collected from children.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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