Effects of Opium Smoking Cessation on the Nasopharyngeal Microbial Flora

Abstract Background: To determine the effect of opium smoking cessation on the frequency and type of microorganisms in the nasopharynx of opium smokers. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed in psychology and ENT department of Moradi Hospital of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences in ۲۰۰۸ (Kerman, Iran). Nasopharyngeal cultures were taken from ۵۰ opium smokers before and ۲ to ۳ months after cessation of opium smoking. Potential pathogens were identified. Findings: Eight potential pathogens were isolated from nasopharyngeal cultures obtained from ۴۳ individuals before opium smoking cessation, and ۴ were recovered from ۳۳ individuals after cessation (P < ۰.۰۰۰۱). Streptococcus pneumonia, staphylococcus saprofiticus, streptococos α hemolytic, and staphylococcus aureus in ۲nd culture were not seen. The most sensitivity to antibiotics was related to ceftriaxone (۸۴%), ciprofloxacin (۷۴%) and cloxacillin (۷۲%); the most resistance was to amoxicillin (۲۶%) and the least resistance was to chloramphenicol. Conclusion: In our study, some potential pathogens decreased or even disapeared after opium cessation. Our patients have not been advised to change their number of cigarettes. We have used methadone pill for substitution of opium. It seems that opium smoking affects nasopharyngeal flora. Keyword: Opium, Nasaopharynx, Microbial flora