Infection Control Practices in Orthodontics during COVID-19

Aim: To find out infection control practices among orthodontists in Punjab, Pakistan during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross sectional study was conceived from 1.6.2020 to 1.1.2021. A pre-designed proforma was used to find out the infection control practices in orthodontics. Each pre-designed proforma consisted of 10 questions about infection control. The pre-designed proforma was distributed among 50 orthodontists. The response rate was 100%. Results: The results showed that most of the orthodontists were up-dated and in practice of using proper infection control measures while COVID-19. Gloves, PPE, Protective eye wears and face shields were worn by most of the respondents. Most of them were using proper disinfection and sterilization measures. Conclusion: The knowledge and practices of infection control in orthodontics was appropriate and up to standards during COVID-19. Key words: Infection Control; Orthodontics

Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviour among dental students concerning infection control measures.

Aim: The aim was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and behaviour of dental students concerning infection control measures and to check the correlation, if any, among knowledge, attitude and behaviour of dental students concerning infection control measures in dental setups. Materials and Methods: A total of 1200 students from first to final year and interns from three different colleges were included in the study. Results: A total of 95.83% think isolation is important. Only 4.1% have been vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine and 95% with tetanus vaccine. Conclusion: The level of knowledge and behaviour of infection control measures was average, for which the reasons could be inadequate training, supply of protective equipments and mainly carelessness. Key Words- Infection control, Vaccination, Isolation.

Electron microscopy of two nematode-destroying fungi, Meristacrum asterospermum and Zygnemomyces echinulatus (Meristacraceae, Entomophthorales)

Infection of nematodes by Meristacrum asterospermum and Zygnemomyces echinulatus was initiated by conidia adhering to the nematode's cuticle. Each conidium developed an infection peg to penetrate the nematode after adhesion. In M. asterospermum, an infection peg just under the penetration was found in ultrathin sections, in which the peg's cell wall was broken into several lobes that were covered entirely with an amorphous mass of electron-opaque substance. Septa formed in the apical portion of aerial conidiophore under conidiation. The septal wall was nonperforate and often contained electron-opaque inclusions. Vegetative hyphae of Z. echinulatus had typical bifurcate septa, but septa at both ends of the pedicel of conidia were often slightly deformed. Key words: infection of nematodes, Meristacrum asterospermum, septum, Zygnemomyces echinulatus.