COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF PHOTOACTIVATED DISINFECTION WITH FOTOSAN AND STANDARD ENDODONTIC TREATMENT

Introduction: The purpose of endodontic treatment is to eliminate the bacterial infection in the root canal system and allow healing of apical periodontitis. Sometimes the anatomical complexity of the root canal system makes complete removal of bacteria almost impossible even if the conventional methods of chemo-mechanical debridement are performed strictly according to the protocol. So additional methods of root canal disinfection can be applied such as photoactivated disinfection (PAD). Purpose: The aim of our study was to compare the antibacterial activity of PAD with FotoSan, and conventional endodontic therapy in the treatment of infected root canals. Materials and methods: The study involved 36 teeth of patients who are diagnosed with pulp necrosis or with the periapical chronic periodontitis and require endodontic treatment and divided into two groups of 18 teeth each. The first microbiological sample was taken by placing a sterile paper point in the root canal, after endodontic access cavity preparation. All root canals are prepared by Protaper Universal rotary instruments (Maillefer Instruments SA, Ballaigues, Switzerland). In the first group, the disinfection of the root canals was made with photoactivated disinfection with FotoSan. In the second group was performed the endodontic treatment with the standard protocol of irrigation - 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution and 17% EDTA. After that, the root canals are dried with sterile points, and a second microbiological sample is taken. Results: In all compared pairs, there was no significantly different effect regarding the number of microorganisms. Conclusions; The disinfection with NaOCl has the strongest antimicrobial effect in this study. Second place is occupied by PAD with FotoSan. We believe that the established antimicrobial effect of PAD make the method appropriate as complementary to routine endodontic treatment.

Acute Epiglottitis Due to COVID-19 Infection

A 53-year-old man presented acutely to the Accident and Emergency department with a 2-day history of progressive odynophagia and shortness of breath. The patient had stridor at rest and acute epiglottitis was suspected. The patient was transferred urgently to theatre for intubation but due to a severely oedematous airway, this was unsuccessful and emergency tracheotomy was performed by the ENT team. Throughout admission the only positive microbiological sample was a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the absence of other positive microbiology, it is highly likely that COVID-19 was the aetiological cause of acute epiglottitis in this instance.

Increased Diagnostic Certainty of Periprosthetic Joint Infections by Combining Microbiological Results with Histopathological Samples Gained via a Minimally Invasive Punching Technique

Background: The diagnosis of low-grade infections of endoprostheses is challenging. There are still no unified guidelines for standardised diagnostic approaches, recommendations are categorised into major and minor criteria. Additional histopathological samples might sustain the diagnosis. However, ambulatory preoperative biopsy collection is not widespread. Method: 102 patients with hip or knee endoprosthesis and suspected periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) were examined by arthrocentesis with microbiological sample and histopathological punch biopsy. The data were retrospectively analysed for diagnosis concordance. Results: Preoperative microbiology compared to intraoperative results was positive in 51.9% (sensitivity 51.9%, specificity 97.3%). In comparison of preoperative biopsy to intraoperative diagnostic results 51.9% cases were positive (sensitivity 51.9%, specificity 100.0%). The combination of preoperative biopsy and microbiology in comparison to intraoperative results was positive in 70.4% of the cases (sensitivity 70.4%, specificity 97.3%). Conclusion: The diagnosis of PJI is complex. One single method to reliably detect an infection is currently not available. With the present method histopathological samples might be obtained quickly, easily and safely for the preoperative detection of PJI. A combination of microbiological and histopathological sampling increases the sensitivity up to 18.5% to detect periprosthetic infection.

Removal of organic pollutants from municipal wastewater by a horizontal pilot - scale constructed wetland utilizing Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia - Effectiveness monitoring per season

Constructed wetlands, as an alternative to conventional methods, are systemsdesigned on the basis of the application of natural purification processes that take placein watery and swampy overgrown habitats, with certain microbiological groups. In thewastewater treatment process various types of constructed wetlands can be combinedto achieve a higher efficiency of the purification.In this study, the removal effectiveness of the organic substances from municipalwastewater was monitored, using a horizontal pilot - scale constructed wetlandutilizing Typha latifolia and Phragmites australis. In addition to the measurement oforganic substances content through COD, BOD and KMnO4 consumption, and totaldissolved substances (TDS) in influent and effluent, microbiological sample analysis wasperformed, monitored by total number of coliform bacteria.The aim of this study was to calculate the effectiveness of removing organicsubstances from municipal wastewater, depending on the season, as well as theeffectiveness of eliminating total coliform bacteria.The results of one-year research have shown that the removal effectiveness ofthe organic substances from municipal wastewater, expressed as the chemical oxygendemand (COD), was the highest in summer - 87.82% ± 2.83%, and the lowest in thewinter - 64.51% ± 5.89%. During the study, effectiveness of elimination of total coliformbacteria was 97.88 ± 0.80% and total dissolved substances 71.27% .

Efficacy of a Sonicating Swab for Removal and Capture of Microorganisms from Experimental and Natural Contaminated Surfaces

ABSTRACTEnhancements in swabbing technology to increase sample collection efficacy would benefit the food industry. Specifically, these enhancements would assist the food industry in implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements by improving environmental monitoring effectiveness. A sonicating swab device, an example of an enhanced swabbing technology, was demonstrated previously to remove biofilm from stainless steel more efficiently than a standard cotton swab. Within this study, the performance of the sonicating swab was compared to that of the standard cotton swab for the recovery ofListeria monocytogenesfrom inoculated surfaces (plastic cutting board, wood cutting board, vinyl floor tile, and quarry clay floor tile). Additionally, we demonstrate the sonicating swab performance for collection of a microbiological sample from used commercial plastic cutting boards (noninoculated) in comparison to cotton swabs, foam swabs, and sponges. The sonicating swab captured significantly (P≤ 0.05) moreL. monocytogenesthan the cotton swab for both the quarry tile and wood cutting board, while no significant differences were observed for the plastic cutting board or the vinyl floor tile. The sonicating swab consistently recovered significantly (P≤ 0.05) more bacteria from the used cutting boards than did the standard cotton swab or the 3M Enviro swab, and it recovered significantly (P≤ 0.05) more bacteria than the sponge swab for a majority of the time (4 of 6 trials). The results of this study indicate that swab technology can still be improved and that the sonicating swab is a viable technological enhancement which aids microbiological sample collection.IMPORTANCESwabbing of surface areas for microbial contamination has been the standard for the detection and enumeration of microorganisms for many years. Inadequate surface sampling can result in foodborne illness outbreaks due to biotransfer of harmful microorganisms from food contact surfaces to foods. Swab material type, surface characteristics, and swabbing method used are a few of the factors associated with swabbing that can result in the variability of bacterial cell recovery for detection and enumeration. A previous study highlighted a sonicating swab prototype and its ability to recover cells from a stainless steel surface more efficiently and reliably than a standard swab method (T. A. Branck, M. J. Hurley, G. N. Prata, C. A. Crivello, and P. J. Marek, Appl Environ Microbiol 83:e00109-17, 2017,https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00109-17). This study expands upon the capabilities of the sonicating swab technology to recover cells from multiple surface types with increased performance over traditional swabbing methods as a tool to further assist in the prevention of foodborne illness outbreaks.

Improve Blood Clotting Feature of Silicon Microneedle by Silver Coating

Microneedles have broad applications in biomedical and neural measurements, drug-delivery systems, and microbiological sample analysis. Blood compatibility is required when microneedle is used in blood related field. We proposed a method to improve the blood clotting feature of silicon microneedle by silver coating. We fabricated the silicon microneedle with and without silver coating by wet etching and metal sputtering and implemented the clotting test. The clotting test results indicated that silver coating plays more important role to improve the blood compatibility of silicon microneedle than surface structure.

Mechanical ventilator a source of nosocomial infection

ABSTRACT Objectives: to verify the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the annexes of the mechanical ventilator, before and after its mounting in the Intensive Care Unit of Hospital Regional do Seridó in the city of Caicó-RN. Method: a descriptive and transversal study was carried out from a quantitative approach. The microbiological sample will be collected in the annexes of the mechanical ventilator. The sample will be taken to isolation procedures and identification. The data will be analyzed inSPSS 17.0 biostatistics software for the univariate analysis, by measuring the distribution center location variability and variability or dispersion, using Student´s t-test. Expected results: to verify the sterility of the semi-critical material of mechanical ventilator, prior to its use in patients in the hospital dynamics. In case of pathogenic microorganisms presence, through the study, to assess possible errors in the process (sterilization or mounting). The results of this work will contribute towards a reduction in hospitalization time, decrease in spending on hospital supplies and increased survival rate and the welfare of hospitalized. Descriptors: cross infection; ventilators, mechanical; microbiological analysis; nursing, team; intensive care units.RESUMOObjetivo: verificar a presença de bactérias patogênicas nos anexos do ventilador mecânico, antes e após sua montagem, na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva do Hospital Regional do Seridó, no município de Caicó-RN. Método: estudo do tipo descritivo exploratório de corte transversal, de natureza quantitativa. A coleta microbiológica do material será realizada nos anexos do ventilador mecânico. Em seguida, a amostra será levada para procedimentos de isolamento e identificação. Os dados serão analisados no software de bioestatística SPSS 17.0, para análise univariada, por meio de medidas do centro de distribuição de posição da variabilidade e variabilidade ou dispersão, utilizando o teste “t” de Student. Resultados esperados: Espera-se verificar a esterilidade do material semi-crítico do ventilador mecânico antes de seu uso no paciente na sua dinâmica hospitalar. Em caso de presença de microrganismo patogênico, através do estudo, avaliar os possíveis erros no processo (esterilização ou montagem). O resultado deste trabalho poderá contribuir para um programa de redução no tempo de internação, diminuição de gastos com materiais hospitalares e o aumento da taxa de sobrevida e o bem-estar dos usurários. Descritores: infecção hospitalar; ventiladores mecânicos; análise microbiológica; equipe de enfermagem; unidade de terapia intensiva.RESUMENObjetivo: determinar la presencia de bacterias patógenas en los anexos del ventilador mecánico (VM), antes y después de su montaje en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Regional del Seridó, en el municipio de Caicó-RN. Método: estudio descriptivo exploratorio de corte transversal, de naturaleza cuantitativa. El muestreo microbiológico del material se llevará a cabo en los anexos del ventilador mecánico. Luego, la muestra se tomará a los procedimientos de aislamiento e identificación. Analizaremos los datos en software de bioestadística SPSS 17.0. Análisis univariado, utilizando medidas del centro de distribución de posición de la variabilidad y la variabilidad o la dispersión, utilizando la prueba “t” de Student. Resultados esperados: Previstos para verificar la esterilidad del ventilador material semi-críticos antes de su uso en pacientes en la dinámica de su hospital. En caso de presencia de microorganismos patógenos, a través del estudio, para evaluar los posibles errores en el proceso (la esterilización o el montaje). El resultado de este trabajo contribuirá a una reducción de la duración de la estancia, disminuir los gastos de hospitalización de los suministros y la tasa de aumento de la supervivencia y el bienestar de los usureros. Descriptores: infección hospitalaria, ventiladores mecánicos; análisis microbiológico; grupo de enfermería, unidades de terapia intensiva.

‘Swabs’ then and now: cotton to flocked nylon

Microbiological sample collections using cotton-tipped swabs (with or without serum), Dacron?, rayon and calcium alginate, with shafts of wood, plastic and various thicknesses and types of metal have all been used over the years. The swabs have been contained in glass or plastic tubes with and without various types of transport media. Swabs are an easy and popular method of sample collection, although microbiology laboratories traditionally prefer tissue, body fluids or aspirates ahead of swabs. As microbiology laboratories increasingly adopt near patient testing and molecular detection methods to reduce test turnaround times, new sample collection methods are required to maximise the sensitivity of these expensive tests and reduce the possibility of failed tests due to sample inhibitors or poor collection techniques. Flocked nylon swabs have been developed by Copan in the last decade and are produced using a technique of spraying nylon fibres onto a rigid core. This has the effect of increasing the surface area for sample collection and also provides easy elution of the collected material. These swabs are polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitor-free, RNase-negative and DNase-free and there is in addition a range of flocked swabs, specifically intended for forensic DNA investigations that are certified human DNA-free. The advantages, disadvantages and appropriate use of swab collections for microbial detection in the 21st century will be presented.

Automated Agar Plate Streaker: A Linear Plater on Society for Biomolecular Sciences Standard Plates

Several protocols for bacterial isolation and techniques for aerobic plate counting rely on the use of a spiral plater to deposit concentration gradients of microbial suspensions onto a circular agar plate to isolate colony growth. The advantage of applying a gradient of concentrations across the agar surface is that the original microbiological sample can be applied at a single concentration rather than as multiple serial dilutions. The spiral plater gradually dilutes the sample across a compact area and therefore saves time preparing dilutions and multiple agar plates. Commercial spiral platers are not automated and require manual sample loading. Dispensing of the sample volume and rate of gradients are often very limited in range. Furthermore, the spiral sample application cannot be used with rectangular microplates. Another limitation of commercial spiral platers is that they are useful only for dilute, filtered suspensions and cannot plate suspensions of coarse organic particles therefore precluding the use of many kinds of microorganism-containing substrata. An automated agar plate spreader capable of processing 99 rectangular microplates in unattended mode is described. This novel instrument is capable of dispensing discrete volumes of sample in a linear pattern. It can be programmed to dispense a sample suspense at a uniform application rate or across a decreasing concentration gradient.

Elimination of intracanal infection in dogs' teeth with induced periapical lesions after rotary instrumentation: influence of different calcium hydroxide pastes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiseptic efficacy of rotary instrumentation associated with calcium hydroxide-based pastes prepared with different vehicles and antiseptics. Chronic periapical lesions were experimentally induced in 72 premolar root canals of four dogs. Under controlled asepsis, after initial microbiological sampling (A1), the root canals were instrumented using the ProFile system in conjunction with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and the intracanal medication was placed. Four experimental groups were formed according to the pastes used: group 1- Calen (n=18), group 2- Calen+CPMC (n=20), group 3- Ca(OH)2 p.a.+ anaesthetic solution (n=16) and group 4- Ca(OH)2 p.a.+ 2% chlorhexidine digluconate (n=18). After 21 days, the pastes were removed; the canals were emptied and 96 hours later a second microbiological sample was obtained (A2). The incidence of positive microbiological cultures and the number of cfus in stages A1 and A2 were compared statistically by the Wilcoxon test while the influence of the different treatments in intracanal infection was evaluated by Kruskal-Wallis test at 5% significance level (p<0.05). Large numbers of strict and facultative anaerobes, and viridans group streptococci were found in 100% of root canals of A1 samples. Among A2 samples, all treatments showed significant reduction of cfus and positive cultures (p<0.05), but only groups 3 and 4 showed 100% of root canals free of microorganisms. Rotary instrumentation plus NaOCl 5.25% associated with intracanal medication produced a drastic reduction or elimination of intracanal microbiota, whose performance was not influenced by the nature of the vehicle or the antiseptic added to the Ca(OH)2 p.a.