INFECTION FROM THE COMMUNION CUP - AN UND ERESTIMATED RISK

The problem of a risk of infection from the common use of chalices has been discussed controversially in literature. Opinions were mainly ba sed on laboratory experiments and theoretical considerations. The auth ors examined bacterial counts and species existing under normal condit ions after communion. For this purpose, contact samples were taken fro m the inside and outside of chalices at the rim. Staphylococci and alp ha-haemolytic streptococci were found on all chalices examined. On mor e than 80%, there were apathogenic micrococci, nonhaemolytic streptoco cci, apathogenic neisseria and apathogenic corynebacteria as well as l actobacilli and bacilli. Staphylococcus aureus was found on 26.4% of c halices. Although the risk of infection for healthy persons from a com monly used chalice can be rated as low, it should not be underestimate d for persons with reduced resistance and immunocompetence, or with re duced defences as a result of therapeutic measures. From the hygienic point of view, the most favourable approaches to avoid infection would be the use of individual chalices for all participants in the communi on or the immersion of wafers or bread in wine or in grape juice by th e priest (intinction).