scholarly journals Microbiological and scanning electron microscopic evaluation of epidural catheters

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 381-385
Author(s):  
Ganapathy van Samkar ◽  
Payal P S Balraadjsing ◽  
Henning Hermanns ◽  
Irene V Hoogendijk ◽  
Markus W Hollmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epidural Catheter ◽  
Bacterial Growth ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Insertion Site ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Microscopic Evaluation ◽  
Epidural Catheters ◽  
Scanning Electron

BackgroundEpidural catheters are frequently colonized by gram-positive bacteria. Although the incidence of associated epidural infections is low, their consequences can be devastating. We investigated bacterial growth on epidural catheters by quantitative bacterial culture and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to explore the patterns of epidural catheter colonization.Methods28 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery with thoracic epidurals (treatment ≥72 hours) were studied. Before the removal of the catheter, the skin surrounding the insertion site was swabbed. The entire catheter was divided into extracorporeal, subcutaneous, and tip segments. Skin swabs and catheter segments were quantitatively cultured, bacterial species were identified, and SEM was performed on four selected catheters.Results27 of 28 catheters were included. The percentages of positive cultures were: skin swab 29.6%, extracorporeal segments 11.1%, subcutaneous segments 14.8%, and tip segments 33.3%. One patient was diagnosed with a catheter-associated infection. Staphylococcus epidermidis was cultured from the skin and the catheter extracorporeal, subcutaneous, and tip segments. SEM of this catheter showed bacteria-like and intraluminal host cell-like structures. SEM of two other catheters showed intraluminal fibrin networks in their tip segments.ConclusionsWe present the first SEM pictures of an epidural catheter with a bacterial infection. Bacterial growth developed from the skin to the tip of this catheter, indicating the skin as a primary source of infection. By SEM, catheters with low levels of bacterial growth demonstrated an intraluminal fibrous network which possibly plays a role in catheter obstruction.

Clinical and Bacteriologic Survey of Epidural Analgesia in Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 988-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Darchy ◽  
Xavier Forceville ◽  
Eric Bavoux ◽  
Frederic Soriot ◽  
Yves Domart
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Epidural Analgesia ◽  
Epidural Catheter ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Insertion Site ◽  
Space Infection ◽  
General Signs ◽  
Epidural Catheters

Background The risk of bacterial contamination related to epidural analgesia in patients cared for in the intensive care unit has not been assessed. Thus the authors studied patients who received care in the intensive care unit who were given epidural analgesia for more than 48 h to determine the rates of local, epidural catheter, and spinal space infection and to identify risk factors. Methods Each patient receiving epidural analgesia for longer than 48 h was examined daily for local and general signs of infection. A swab sample for culture was taken if there was local discharge; all epidural catheters were cultured on withdrawal. All patients underwent weekly neurologic monitoring for 1 month; those with positive epidural catheter cultures had one spinal magnetic resonance image scan. Results The 75 patients cared for in the intensive care unit who were studied had been receiving epidural analgesia for a median of 4 days (interquartile range, 3.5 to 5 days). Twenty-seven patients had signs of local inflammation (erythema or local discharge), and nine of these had infections. All the patients who had both local signs also had infection. All nine infections were local (12%), but four patients also had epidural catheter infections (5.3%). No patient with erythema alone or without local signs had a positive epidural catheter culture. No spinal space infection was diagnosed. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most frequently cultured microorganism. Local infection was treated by removing the epidural catheter without any antibiotics. Concomitant infection at other sites (21 of 75 patients, or 28%), antibiotic therapy (64 of 75 patients, or 85%), the duration of epidural analgesia, and the insertion site level of the epidural catheter were not identified as risk factors for epidural analgesia-related infections. Conclusions The risk of epidural analgesia-related infection in patients in the intensive care unit seems to be low. The presence of two local signs of inflammation is a strong predictor of local and epidural catheter infection.

Scanning Electron Microscopic Evaluation of Human Spermatozoa Subjected to Sperm Wash and Swim-Up

Andrologia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 551-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. VIJAYAKUMAR ◽  
B. NDUBISI ◽  
S. PRIEN ◽  
F. LEON ◽  
W. HEINE
Keyword(s):  
Human Spermatozoa ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Microscopic Evaluation ◽  
Scanning Electron Microscopic ◽  
Scanning Electron

scholarly journals A scanning electron microscopic evaluation of different root canal irrigation regimens

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaves Medici Mônika ◽  
Izabel Cristina Fröner
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Hypochlorite ◽  
Root Canal ◽  
Ricinus Communis ◽  
Smear Layer ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Canal Irrigation ◽  
Root Canals ◽  
Root Canal Irrigation ◽  
Microscopic Evaluation ◽  
Scanning Electron

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of endodontic irrigants in removing the smear layer from instrumented root canal walls using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The endodontic irrigants used were: 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); 1% NaOCl mixed to 17% EDTAC; 2% chlorhexidine gel; and Ricinus communis gel. Photomicrographs of the middle and apical thirds were evaluated with the aid of the Fotoscore - v. 2.0 software. The results indicated that the mixture of sodium hypochlorite and EDTAC completely removed the smear layer from dentinal walls. The other endodontic irrigants were not as efficient in cleansing the root canals.

Scanning Electron Microscopic Evaluation of Age-Related Changes in the Rat Vestibular Epithelium

1994 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 799-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meiho Nakayama ◽  
Robert H. Helfert ◽  
Horst R. Konrad ◽  
Donald M. Caspary
Keyword(s):  
Hair Cells ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Fischer 344 Rats ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Fischer 344 ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Microscopic Evaluation ◽  
Age Related Changes ◽  
Scanning Electron

An ultrastructural study was performed to assets age-related changes in the vestibular end organs of Fischer 344 rats. The surfaces of the maculae and cristae from 3-, 12-, and 24-month-old Fischer 344 rats were observed by use of scanning electron microscopy. Age-related changes in the morphology of the vestibular neuroepithelium included a substantial loss of hair cells, as well as a reduction in the number of kinocllia and stereocilla on those that remained. These changes were greatest in the central upper regions of the three ampullae. In aged animals a greater area of the neuroepithelial surface was covered with microvilli, and in some instances, giant cilia were found among the microvillous surfaces. In contrast, there were few differences among the three age groups in the number and condition of hair cells in the saccules and utricles. The changes observed in the cristae may contribute to the age-associated impairment of vestibular function. If similar changes occur in human beings, these could in part account for the presbycusis observed in the elderly.

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