scholarly journals Cross-Contamination as a Problem in Collection and Analysis of Environmental Samples Containing Microplastics—A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 12123
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Bogdanowicz ◽  
Monika Zubrowska-Sudol ◽  
Andrzej Krasinski ◽  
Miroslaw Sudol
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Significant Problem ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Contamination Control ◽  
Potential Sources ◽  
Comprehensive Manner ◽  
Mitigation Methods ◽  
Inherent Part

Research conducted so far on the presence of microplastics in the environment shows that these items are ubiquitous pollutants and therefore constitute an inherent part of our lives. This constitutes a significant problem in many aspects, and one of them is the correct identification of microplastics in environmental samples. Environmental samples can be easily contaminated by plastic microparticles from other sources if proper precautions are not taken during sampling and analysis. The consequence of not taking this cross-contamination into account when analysing the results may be their significant overestimation. This review aims to draw attention to the problem of cross-contamination that accompanies the collection and analysis of samples for the presence of microplastics, and to discuss this issue in a comprehensive manner. The article indicates potential sources of cross-contamination, lists the mitigation methods, and describes the possibilities of assessing this type of contamination. Moreover, the review examines how cross-contamination control appears in practice, based on the available literature data.

scholarly journals Designing a Quick Fix Shutter for Auto-Disinfecting Scan Glass Surface in Biometric Scanners

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepalekshmi Ponnamma ◽  
Mohammad Talal Houkan ◽  
Muni Raj Mourya ◽  
Noora Al-Thani
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Glass Surface ◽  
Universal Design ◽  
Professional Life ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Finger Print ◽  
Potential Sources ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Short Time

Fingerprint scanners are significant devices in professional life, and its contamination can be potential sources of COVID-19 transmission. Manual disinfection of the fingerprint scanner after every single use is time consuming and even can adversely affect its electronics/functioning. Thus, with an aim to prevent the spread of infectious disease by cross contamination and implement the safe use of fingerprint scanner, we have developed a smart quick fix technology for automatic disinfection of finger print scanner glass after every single use. The smart portable top mount assembly uses two different disinfecting methods that ensures higher degree of disinfection. The disinfection is based on the simultaneous ultraviolet (UV) and heat treatment for a specific short time, and required to kill all the viruses on the scan glass surface. Moreover, developing this disinfecting technology with a universal design that can be fitted to any finger print scanner irrespective to its size makes it a novel idea.

scholarly journals Gluten-Free Diet: From Development to Assessment of a Check-List Designed for the Prevention of Gluten Cross-Contamination in Food Services

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Farage ◽  
Renata Puppin Zandonadi ◽  
Verônica Cortez Ginani ◽  
Lenora Gandolfi ◽  
Eduardo Yoshio Nakano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Food Contamination ◽  
Free Food ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Gluten Free ◽  
Food Services ◽  
Check List ◽  
Contamination Control ◽  
Control Instrument ◽  
Classification Score

Gluten cross-contamination in gluten-free food may jeopardize treatment of celiac patients. Considering the deficit of appropriate instruments to enable the implementation of safe production practices for gluten-free food, this study aimed to evaluate the application of a check-list elaborated for gluten cross-contamination prevention in food services. The instrument was applied in 60 Brazilian food services. Interobserver reproducibility and internal consistency of the check-list were tested. A score classification was created for establishments according to the food contamination risk assessment. Subsequent to the application and statistical analysis, the original instrument was reduced to a 30-item check-list. In the reproducibility analysis, none of the 30 items showed significant divergence among the evaluators (p > 0.05 in the Cochran Q test). The 30-item version of the check-list presented Kuder–Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) = 0.771, indicating good internal consistency. The proposed classification score is obtained by adding 1 point for each item with an “adequate” response; therefore, the final score may vary between 0 and 30 points. Establishments with up to 15 points exhibit risk of gluten contamination, while establishments with a score above 16 points exhibit low risk of contamination. The check-list displayed good reproducibility and internal consistency, suggesting that it could be a useful gluten contamination control instrument in food services.

Longitudinal Study of Clostridium difficile and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Associated with Pigs from Weaning through to the End of Processing

2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 624-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
PHILIP HAWKEN ◽  
J. SCOTT WEESE ◽  
ROBERT FRIENDSHIP ◽  
KEITH WARRINER
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Processing Facility ◽  
Ribotype 078 ◽  
Spa Type

There has been a recent increase in community-associated infections linked to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile. It is established that both pathogens can be recovered from retail pork, although it is unclear to what degree contamination is acquired at the farm in comparison to that acquired during processing. To address this gap, the following study reports on the carriage of MRSA and C. difficile on pigs from birth through to the end of processing. C. difficile was isolated from 28 (93%) of 30 pigs at 1 day of age, but prevalence declined sharply to 1 of 26 by market age (188 days). MRSA prevalence peaked at 74 days of age, with 19 (68%) of 28 pigs testing positive, but declined to 3 of 26 at 150 days of age, with no pig being detected as positive at market age. At the processing facility, C. difficile was isolated from the holding area, with a single carcass testing positive for the pathogen at preevisceration. MRSA was primarily isolated from nasal swabs with 8 (31%) carcasses testing positive at postbleed, which increased to 14 (54%) positive at postscald tanks. Only one carcass (sampled at postbleed) tested positive for MRSA, with no recovery of the pathogen from environmental samples taken. C. difficile ribotype 078 predominated in the longitudinal portion of the study, accounting for all of the 68 isolates recovered from pigs. Only three C. difficile isolates, which were identified as ribotype 078, were recovered at the slaughterhouse. MRSA spa type 539 (t034) predominated in pigs on the farm and samples taken at the slaughterhouse, accounting for 80% of all isolates recovered. The study demonstrated that both C. difficile and MRSA acquired on the farm can be transferred through to processing, although no evidence for significant cross-contamination between carcasses or the slaughterhouse environment was evident.

scholarly journals The influence of handling on the elasticity of addition silicone putties

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Eloy Rodrigues Filho ◽  
Antonio Muench ◽  
Carlos Francci ◽  
Angelika Katia Luebke ◽  
Andréia Aparecida Traina
Keyword(s):  
Natural Rubber ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Impression Material ◽  
Contamination Control ◽  
Latex Gloves ◽  
Synthetic Rubber ◽  
Satisfactory Performance ◽  
Impression Materials

The handling of vinyl polysiloxane (addition silicone) impression putties with latex gloves is said to interfere with the setting of these impression materials. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of handling techniques on the setting of vinyl polysiloxane impression putties using several types of gloves. The setting of these materials was evaluated by means of an elasticimeter. Four vinyl polysiloxane putty impression materials and five brands of gloves (one made of vinyl, one of synthetic rubber, and three of natural rubber) were studied. Based on the type of glove, they were previously washed or not, and a spatula was used or not for initial mixing (before handmixing). The vinyl, the synthetic and one of the natural rubber gloves did not require the previous washing procedure and/or the use of a spatula for initial mixing. Two other natural rubber gloves - depending on the silicone -, showed satisfactory results only when the initial mixing was performed with a spatula. It was concluded that setting inhibition depends on the kind of vinyl polysiloxane impression material and the kind of gloves used, but when the initial mixing was performed with the spatula this setting inhibition was overcome. The results of this study also showed that it is possible to associate cross-contamination control and satisfactory performance of addition silicone putty materials. When doubts arise from the compatibility between vinyl polysiloxane impression putties and gloves, the initial mixing should be performed with a spatula.

scholarly journals Trends on Aspergillus Epidemiology—Perspectives from a National Reference Laboratory Surveillance Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Raquel Sabino ◽  
Paulo Gonçalves ◽  
Aryse Martins Melo ◽  
Daniela Simões ◽  
Mariana Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Reference Method ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Antifungal Drugs ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Azole Resistance ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations

Identification of Aspergillus to species level is important since sibling species may display variable susceptibilities to multiple antifungal drugs and also because correct identification contributes to improve the knowledge of epidemiological studies. Two retrospective laboratory studies were conducted on Aspergillus surveillance at the Portuguese National Mycology Reference Laboratory. The first, covering the period 2017–2018, aimed to study the molecular epidemiology of 256 Aspergillus isolates obtained from patients with respiratory, subcutaneous, or systemic infections and from environmental samples. The second, using our entire collection of clinical and environmental A. fumigatus isolates (N = 337), collected between 2012 and 2019, aimed to determine the frequency of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates. Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto was the most frequent species in both clinical and environmental samples. Overall, and considering all Aspergillus sections identified, a high frequency of cryptic species was detected, based on beta-tubulin or calmodulin sequencing (37% in clinical and 51% in environmental isolates). Regarding all Fumigati isolates recovered from 2012–2019, the frequency of cryptic species was 5.3% (18/337), with the identification of A. felis (complex), A. lentulus, A. udagawae, A. hiratsukae, and A. oerlinghauensis. To determine the frequency of azole resistance of A. fumigatus, isolates were screened for azole resistance using azole-agars, and 53 possible resistant isolates were tested by the CLSI microdilution reference method. Nine A. fumigatus sensu stricto and six Fumigati cryptic isolates showed high minimal inhibitory concentrations to itraconazole, voriconazole, and/or posaconazole. Real-time PCR to detect cyp51A mutations and sequencing of cyp51A gene and its promoter were performed. The overall frequency of resistance to azoles in A. fumigatus sensu stricto was 3.0%. With this retrospective analysis, we were able to detect one azole-resistant G54R mutant A. fumigatus environmental isolate, collected in 2015. The TR34/L98H mutation, linked to environmental transmission route of azole resistance, was the most frequently detected mutation (N = 4; 1.4%). Our findings underline the demand for correct identification and susceptibility testing of Aspergillus isolates.

scholarly journals Salmonella in pig lairage and in stunning box

2012 ◽  
Vol 66 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 233-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nedjeljko Karabasil ◽  
Mirjana Dimitrijevic ◽  
Natasa Pavlicevic ◽  
Vlado Teodorovic ◽  
Jasna Loncina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Infection ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Pork Meat ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogens ◽  
Potential Sources

Salmonella is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens and the consumption of pork meat is a major source of human infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Salmonella on different surfaces in the pig lairage and stunning box as potential sources of cross contamination of animals and carcasses. Sampling was conducted in two abattoirs (slaughterhouse A and slaughterhouse B). Samples were taken from slaughterhouse A in two instances (sampling I and II, a total of 60 samples) and in slaughterhouse B once (sampling III, a total of 30 samples), from each of the following sites: floor of ramp at unloading area, race between unloading area and holding pens area, walls of holding pens, floor of holding pens, water troughs in pens, drainage for fluids/feces, race between holding pen and main race, race before stunning box, gates between race and stunning box, stunning box floor. Of the total number of examined samples, the percentage of positive samples for Salmonella in the lairage was 12.50% (72 / 9), and samples from the surface of the stunning box was 61.11%. (18 / 11). Surfaces in a lairage and stunning box are regularly contaminated with salmonella, and can pose potential sources of cross contamination of animals and carcasses.

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