Microbial Contamination in Drinking Water Fountains and the Potential Risk Associated with Location and Cleanliness

As drinking water fountains are the main source of free drinking water in public spaces, microbiological quality standards in such facilities are strongly relevant to public health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological condition of drinking water fountains in a public institution, specifically investigating the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms and to establish possible causes of contamination. Microbiological analysis was conducted with samples from seven drinking water fountain bubbler faucets located near the restrooms. We evaluated the number of users of these fountains under two parameters: individuals who only drank water, and individuals who drank water after using the restroom. The biological samples were cultivated on a specific culture medium, and the results revealed the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. Although our findings indicate the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms, the results showed no correlation between the number of isolated microorganisms and the number of water fountain users. No specific correlation between the frequency of use of drinking water fountains and restrooms location was identified. We therefore suggest that the contamination present on the surface of the drinking water fountains is due to both the inefficacy of the cleaning procedures and the location of the water fountains. Identification of public health-relevant pathogens may have serious consequences for users.

Prevalence of Pseudomonas in dental unit water of private dental clinics and its antimicrobial susceptibility using MAR index

The bacteriology of water in a dental unit is important as potentially pathogenic microorganisms like Pseudomonas may be present in dental water unit, which could be fatal for immuno-compromised patients and be of significant morbidity in immuno-competent patients. It is difficult to treat infections caused by Pseudomonas due to their resistance to many commonly used disinfectants and antibiotics. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Pseudomonas contamination in dental unit water lines of a dental hospital outpatient department and to analyse the antimicrobial susceptibility of Pseudomonas.

COVID19 pandemic is a «pandemic» of antimicrobial therapy

The article presents a critical analysis of antibiotic usage tactics in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 existing in Russian and foreign healthcare, and discusses the possible causes of unjustified antibiotic aggression in this category of patients. The potential negative consequences of the widespread use of antibiotics in patients carrying a new coronavirus infection are analyzed: life-threatening cardiotoxicity in patients with the simultaneous administration of such a «popular» candidate etiologic therapy as a combination of azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine, the potential development of other serious adverse drug reactions (in particular, the development of an antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis, etc.), the expected dramatic increase in the secondary drug resistance of potentially pathogenic microorganisms to widely and often prescribed antibiotics.

Microbiological and Histological Analysis for the Evaluation of Farmed Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) Health Status, in Coastal Areas of Italy

Shellfish farming is a relevant economic activity in Italy. The Gulf of La Spezia is one of the major production areas for mussels: the area is characterized by the presence of numerous human activities that could harm the quality of seawater. Additionally, the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms may influence the health status of animals, which must be constantly monitored. To have a clear view of the health conditions of the mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) farmed in this area, microbiological, parasitological, and histological analyses were performed. The study was conducted from November 2016 to October 2017. Overall, despite the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms for mussels, abnormal mortality rates were not reported during the monitoring period and the histological examination revealed no significant lesions. Our study confirms that studying different aspects together is a useful tool for assessing the health conditions of mussels and points out the importance of adverse environmental conditions for the expression of the pathogenicity of microorganisms.

ANALYSIS OF MICROBIAL ADHESION OF PATHOGENIC MUSHROOMS S. ALBICANS ON THE SURFACE OF THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL FOR ORTHOPEDIC CONSTRUCTIONS

Subject: The paper deals with measured biomedical characteristics of samples of a prosthodontic thermoplastic polymer, in regards to certain potentially pathogenic species of oral microflora. Evaluation and comparative analysis of С. albicans adhesion and colonization activity on the prosthodontic material surface were undertaken. Materials and methods: The research used the following reference strains: C. albicans, S. aureus, S. epidermidis and Escherichia coli. The biofilms were visualized by means of a plate reader, PowerWave X (USA) after staining with 0.1% aqueous solution of gentian violet and alcohol extraction of the dye. The bacteria were tested for viability by direct inoculation of selective media. Results: С. albicans was found to produce a more prominent film on the thermoplastic polymer than other potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Conclusions: Satisfactory biomedical characteristics of the thermoplastic material allow it to be used for prosthodontic purposes.

Sterilization methods for humam teeth

ABSTRACT Appropriate sterilization methods for dental substrate are necessary so that extracted teeth can be used in laboratory activities, since potentially pathogenic microorganisms may be present even if teeth have been cleaned. Objective Evaluating the sterilization process of human teeth performed by microwave irradiation and autoclave sterilization. Methods Fifty human premolar teeth were sectioned in two portions and distributed in two test groups: G1 - autoclave sterilization for 20 minutes, 1Kgf/cm2, at 127ºC; G2 - Microwave irradiation in a recipient containing 100ml of distilled water, 900W for 5 minutes. Before and after the decontamination process, all teeth were immersed in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth to verify their contamination (positive control) and decontamination potential respectively. Results The statistical analysis of the Friedman test (p <0.05) showed that all the tested sterilization methods were statistically effective. Conclusion These results show that both autoclaving and microwave irradiation are effective alternatives for the sterilization of human teeth.

Assessment of Postvaccine Immunity against Streptococcus pneumoniae in Patients with Asplenia, including an Analysis of Its Impact on Bacterial Flora of the Upper Respiratory Tract and Incidence of Infections

S. pneumoniae is a microorganism that may cause a serious threat in postsplenectomy patients due to a potentially invasive course of infection. In order to assess a protective activity after vaccination with the 23-valent vaccine, we made an analysis of the level of antibodies in patients with asplenia compared to a control group of healthy donors. Additionally, colonization by potentially pathogenic microorganisms of the upper respiratory tract was analyzed to determine the carrier state by strains with vaccine serotype. No such strains were found in the research, yet three non-vaccine-serotype strains were found. Colonization of the upper respiratory tract by potentially pathogenic microorganisms may be connected with increased susceptibility observed and incidence of infections in patients with asplenia. However, colonization by S. pneumoniae may not have an effect on the level of specific antibodies with the 23-valent vaccine against S. pneumoniae (PPV23) in postsplenectomy patients and healthy people. The response to vaccination against S. pneumoniae showed a lower level of specific antibodies in patients with splenectomy performed more than 2 years before the test than in patients with a recently removed spleen, i.e., from 1 month to 2 years before the test. Vaccination against pneumococci also has positive effects on incidence of other etiology infections, which is of high significance in the prophylaxis of infectious diseases in this group of patients.

Bacterias y hongos en el humo aspirado de cigarrillo

Bacterias y hongos en el humo aspirado de cigarrillo Bacteria and fungi in cigarette smoke José Olivo Lopez1, Jhimer Capcha Sánchez2, John Chávez Salazar3 1Instituto de Salud del Niño, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima, Perú [email protected] 2Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Asoc. Las flores Mz. A LT. 6, Santa Anita, Lima, Perú [email protected] 3Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Distrito del Rímac, Lima Perú [email protected] Recibido el 11 de noviembre del 2016; aceptado el 15 de diciembre del 2016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33017/RevECIPeru2016.0010/ Resumen Estudios confirman la presencia de microorganismos potencialmente patógenos en la hoja de tabaco. Estos podrían llegar por arrastre a través del humo a las vías respiratorias y desencadenar una serie de enfermedades pulmonares. Por lo tanto, los cigarrillos podrían considerarse una fuente directa de microorganismos que llegarían a colonizar el tracto respiratorio de fumadores activos, especialmente en inmunodeprimidos. El objetivo fue determinar si las bacterias y hongos presentes en la hoja de tabaco son arrastrados al aspirar el humo de cigarrillos. Estudio transversal y prospectivo de diseño no experimental. Se realizó en el agustino en la que se procesó 10 cajetillas de cigarrillos de dos marcas diferentes (dos grupos de 5 cajetillas) utilizando un sistema de aspiración mecánica que consta de un matraz de kitazato, pipeta graduada, jeringa de 60ml, conductos y tapones de jebe. De 10 cajetillas analizadas de la marca A (5 cajetillas), se obtuvo crecimiento bacteriano en el 80 % y en la marca B(5 cajetillas), un 60 % ambas correspondientes a Bacillus sp. No se aisló mohos y levaduras. Se concluye que bacterias presentes en la hoja de tabaco son arrastrados a través del humo de cigarrillo. Descriptores: Hoja de tabaco, humo aspirado, Bacillus sp, inmunodeprimidos. Abstract Summary: Studies confirm the presence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in leaf snuff. These could be reached by drag through the smoke to the airways and trigger a number of lung diseases. Therefore, the cigarettes could be considered a direct source of microorganisms that come to colonize the respiratory tract of active smokers, especially in immunosuppressed. The objective was to determine if bacteria and fungi in leaf snuff are drawn by aspirating smoke cigarettes. transversal and prospective study of non-experimental design. It was held in the Augustinian where 10 cigarette packets of two different brands (two groups of 5 packs) using a mechanical suction consisting of a flask Kitazato, graduated pipette, syringe 60ml, ducts and caps processed jebe. 10 packs analyzed brand A (5 packs), bacterial growth was obtained in 80% and the mark B (5 packs), 60% both corresponding to Bacillus sp. No molds and yeasts isolated. It is concluded that bacteria present in the leaf snuff are drawn through the cigarette smoke. Keywords: Leaf snuff, inhaled smoke, Bacillus sp, immunosuppressed.