Antimicrobial Efficacy of Different Decontamination Methods as Tested on Dental Implants with Various Types of Surfaces.

BACKGROUND Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory reaction affecting both hard and soft tissues surrounding dental implants. This pathological condition is caused by a polymicrobial aggressive biofilm that colonizes the implant and abutment surface at the peri-implant crevice level. The present in vitro study evaluated different methods of implant surface decontamination and assessed whether the type of the implant surface influences the results. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted in an in vitro model of peri-implantitis using 30 implants. The implants were divided into 3 equal groups based on the surface characteristics: machined-surface, sand-blasted and acid-etched, and HA-coated. Implants were coated with E. coli biofilm. After an incubation period, they were decontaminated with 4 different methods: sonic scaler application, sonic scaler application with the chemical agent Perisolv® combination, Er: YAG laser treatment, and PDT therapy with methylene blue as a photosensitizer. RESULTS The highest level of decontamination was achieved for machined-surface implants and for the combined chemical-mechanical and Er: YAG laser treatment. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study suggest that the method of implant decontamination should be customized to the type of implant surface.

Chemical Composition of East Asian Invasive Knotweeds, their Cytotoxicity and Antimicrobial Efficacy Against Cariogenic Pathogens: An In-Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND Giant knotweeds originating from East Asia, such as Reynoutria japonica, and Reynoutria sachalinensis, and their hybrid such as Reynoutria x bohemica, are invasive plants in Europe and North America. However, R. japonica is also a traditional East Asian drug (Polygoni cuspidati rhizoma) used in Korean folk medicine to improve oral hygiene. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of acetone extracts of Reynoutria species against dominant caries pathogen such as Streptococcus mutans and alternative pathogens, as well as characterize the phytochemical composition of extracts and examine their cytotoxicity. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ultrasonic extraction was used to obtain polyphenol-rich extracts. The extracts were characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS. To test bacterial viability, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) against S. mutans, S. salivarius, S. sanguinis, and S. pyogenes were determined. The cytotoxicity of the extracts to human fibroblasts derived from gingiva was evaluated using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. RESULTS The R. japonica extract had the highest bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against pathogens causing caries, mainly dominant caries pathogen S. mutans (mean MIC 1000 µg/mL and MBC 2000 µg/mL), which was most likely associated with a higher content of stilbene aglycons and anthraquinone aglycons in the extract. Moreover, the R. japonica extract demonstrated the lowest cytotoxic effect on human fibroblasts and exhibited cytotoxic activity only at the concentration causing the death of all S. mutans. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that the R. japonica acetone extract can be considered as a natural, antimicrobial agent for caries control.

Detection of dermatophytes in human nail and skin dust produced during podiatric treatments in people without typical clinical signs of mycoses.

Pedicures are the most common cosmetic foot treatment. Many pedicurists and podiatrists suffer from respiratory infections and diseases such as asthma, sinusitis, chronic cough and bronchitis. Skin and nail dust may play an important role in the development of occupational diseases and the transmission of mycosis to other clients. To examine the presence of dermatophytes in nail and skin dust produced during podiatric treatments of people without typical symptoms of mycosis and to assess the epidemiological hazards of tinea pedis for podiatrists as well as other clients. Seventy-seven samples underwent direct microscopy and culture. The results of direct microscopy were positive in 28/77 samples (36.36%) and doubtful in 3/77 (3.9%). Fungi were cultured from 36/77 samples (46.75%), including 8/77 (10.3%) positive for dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum-6 isolates and Trichophyton mentagrophytes-2). Material collected during podiatric treatments is potentially infected by pathogenic fungi; thus, there is a need to protect both workers who perform such treatments, as well as other clients, to prevent the transmission of pathogens in the Salon environment. Exposure to this occupational hazard may increase not only the risk of respiratory infections but also increase asthmatic or allergic reactions to Trichophyton.

Candidaemia in polish hospitals - a multicentre survey.

Significant changes in the frequency of candidaemia and the distribution of causative species have been noted worldwide in the last two decades. In this study, we present the results of the first multicentre survey of fungaemia in Polish hospitals. A total of 302 candidaemia episodes in 294 patients were identified in 20 hospitals during a 2-year period. The highest number of infections was found in intensive care (30.8%) and surgical (29.5%) units, followed by haematological (15.9%), 'others' (19.2%) and neonatological (4.6%) units. Candida albicans was isolated from 50.96% of episodes; its prevalence was higher in intensive care unit and neonatology (61.22% and 73.33%, respectively), and significantly lower in haematology (22%; P < 0.001). The frequency of C. krusei and C. tropicalis was significantly higher (24% and 18%) in haematology (P < 0.02); whereas, the distribution of C. glabrata (14.1%) and C. parapsilosis (13.1%) did not possess statistically significant differences between compared departments. Obtained data indicates that species distribution of Candida blood isolates in Polish hospitals reflects worldwide trends, particularly a decrease in the prevalence of infections due to C. albicans.

Tubo-ovarian abscess during therapy of chronic hepatitis C with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

BACKGROUND: Serious infections are rare complications of standard treatment in chronic hepatitis C with pegylated interferon alpha (Peg IFN) and ribavirin. CASE: We report two cases of life-threatening tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) in women older than 40 year of age. No casual risk factors of TOA could be identified in them. In one case septic shock and acute renal failure occured. TOA was caused by endogenic bacteria (Porphyromonas asaccharolytica in the first case and Streptococcus intermedius in the latter). Surgical treatment and interruption of IFN therapy was necessary in both cases. CONCLUSIONS: Serious gynecological infections may have the significant negative influence on chronic hepatitis C therapy outcome. Because of the risk of TOA developing during IFN therapy gynecological care is needed in chronic hepatitis C management.

Evaluation of the three methods of bacterial decontamination on implants with three different surfaces.

BACKGROUND: The main goal of the treatment of the peri-implantitis is to decontaminate the surface of the implant, thereby enabling further treatment involving, e.g., guided bone regeneration. Since new implants of the rougher surface were introduced to the common dental practice, decontamination is even more difficult. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate 3 different methods of decontaminating implants with 3 different surfaces. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 30 dental implants with 3 different surface types (machined, sandblasted, and acid-etched (SLA) and hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated) were used in the study. Each group of implants was coated with Escherichia coli biofilm and cultivated. Afterwards, the implants were transferred to the jaw model and treated with a different method: sonic scaler mechanical debridement with a Woodpecker PT5 sonic scaler (1st group), and mechanical debridement with sonic scaler and with the combination with chemical agent Perisolv® (2nd group), and with Er:YAG laser treatment (3rd group). Each implant was treated with the specific method and sent for further microbiological evaluation. RESULTS: The highest level of decontamination was achieved for machined-surface implants and the lowest for HA-coated implants. The method with the highest biofilm reduction was the scaler and Perisolv® group. The highest level of decontamination of HA-coated implants were achieved for Er:YAG laser irradiation method. CONCLUSIONS: In the following paper, the superiority of combined chemical-mechanical method of decontaminating the surface of the implant on SLA and machined-surface implants was proved. On the contrary, Er:YAG laser irradiation was reported as the best option for decontamination of the HA-coated implants. In our opinion, it is a significant finding, revealing that the method of peri-implantitis management should be considered in accordance to the type of the surface of the implant (customized to the surface of the implant).

[Immunological properties of the Gram-negative bacilli Pseudomonas aeruginosa]. / Wlasciwosci immunologiczne Gram-ujemnych paleczek Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is commonly present in the environment, causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients as well as in those with severe burns or cystis fibrosis. Its pathogenic properties are connected with both intracellular and extracellular constituents. They are able to stimulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines contributing to the development of inflammation. The paper presents the role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the infection of various tissues. The authors describe bacterial antigens, toxins, and their ability to induce cytokine production on the basis of the contemporary literature.

[Siderophores and hemolysins in iron aquisition by Acinetobacter genus]. / Siderofory i hemolizyny w pozyskiwaniu zelaza przez paleczki z rodzaju Acinetobacter.

In 60 strains of Acinetobacter genus isolated from clinical material belonging to species A. baumannii, A. haemolyticus, A. junii and A. lwoffii a hydroxamate and phenol-catechol class siderophores was identified by chemical and biological testes. A correlation between siderophores production and growth intensity, species affiliation and origin of strains was found.

[Bacterial flora as a potential etiopathogenic factor for nasal polyps]. / Flora bakteryjna jako potencjalny czynnik etiopatogenetyczny polipów nosa.

Nasal polyps develop in patients with disturbed local homeostasis of nasal mucosa. Research of Bernstein and Stoop showed the influence of inflammation of nasal mucosa on growth of nasal polyps. Bacterial and viral infections play significant role in development and intensification of inflammatory and immunological process. Many bacteria produce factors which damage cilia cells, cause dyskinesis of cilia and destroy respiratory epithelium. Disturbed muco-ciliar cleaning permits bacteria to penetrate through mucous layer and facilitate their adhesion and colonization on the cells of respiratory epithelium. Adhesion and successive colonization with bacteria multiplication can lead to inflammatory process. Nose swabs results were different in each examined group. The aim of this work was to define bacterial flora in patients with nasal polyps and in patients after polypectomia and to compare it to bacterial flora in healthy patients. Nose swabs were performed in 51 patients with nasal polyps before polypectomia and additional in 15 patients after polypectomia. 25 healthy medical students were a control group. The patients were divided into two groups: I. patients with nasal eosinophilic polyps, II. patients with nasal neutrophilic polyps. In the group of patients with both neutrophilic and eosinophilic polyps dominating bacterial flora included bacteria which usually are the cause of inflammation. In the group of patients after polypectomia bacterial flora was not different from that which was found in patients with polyps.

Demodex - an old pathogen or a new one?

Demodex was first identified over 150 years ago, but only recently has it attracted wider interest as a contributor to chronic diseases such as acne rosacea or marginal blepharitis. Demodex is commonly found in the human population, in skin sebaceous glands or follicles. The frequency of Demodex infection increases with age, as it is mainly diagnosed after the age of seventy; however, it can sometimes be found in children and teenagers. Demodex is supposed to contribute to the development of marginal blepharitis or acne rosacea, but the pathogenic mechanisms have not yet been explained in detail. These diseases are chronic and the long-term treatment effects are not satisfactory. This paper presents the characteristics of Demodex as well as its prevalence in the pathogenesis of eye and skin diseases, and describes the diagnostics and treatment of these disorders.

Device-associated infection rates and extra length of stay in an intensive care unit of a university hospital in Wroclaw, Poland: International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium's (INICC) findings.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine device-associated health care-associated infections (DA-HAI) rates, microbiologic profile, bacterial resistance, and length of stay in one intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital member of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) in Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective DA-HAI surveillance study was conducted on an adult ICU from January 2007 to May 2010. Data were collected by implementing the methodology developed by INICC and applying the definitions of DA-HAI provided by the National Healthcare Safety Network at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: A total of 847 patients hospitalized for 9386 days acquired 206 DA-HAIs, an overall rate of 24.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21.5-27.4), and 21.9 (95% CI, 19.0-25.1) DA-HAIs per 1000 ICU-days. Central line-associated bloodstream infection rate was 4.01 (95% CI, 2.8-5.6) per 1000 catheter-days, ventilator-associated pneumonia rate was 18.2 (95% CI, 15.5-21.6) per 1000 ventilator-days, and catheter-associated urinary tract infection rate was 4.8 (95% CI, 3.5-6.5) per 1000 catheter-days. Length of stay was 6.9 days for those patients without DA-HAI, 10.0 days for those with central line-associated bloodstream infection, 15.5 days for those with ventilator-associated pneumonia, and 15.0 for those with catheter-associated urinary tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: Most DA-HAI rates are lower in Poland than in INICC, but higher than in the National Healthcare Safety Network, expressing the feasibility of lowering infection rates and increasing patient safety.

Molecular epidemiology of acquired-metallo-beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in Poland.

We have analyzed 40 metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 38), Pseudomonas putida (n = 1), and Acinetobacter genospecies 3 (n = 1) from 17 hospitals in 12 cities in Poland that were identified in 2000 to 2004. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis typing classified the P. aeruginosa isolates into eight types, with two types differentiated further into subtypes. Each of the types was specific either to a given center or to several hospitals of the same or neighboring geographic area. Almost all of the organisms produced beta-lactamase VIM-2; the only exceptions were several P. aeruginosa isolates from two centers which expressed VIM-4. The bla(VIM) genes resided exclusively within class 1 integrons, and these were located in either chromosomal or plasmid DNA. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism study of the variable regions of the integrons, followed by DNA sequencing, revealed the presence of eight different, mostly novel gene cassette arrays, six of which contained bla(VIM-2) and two of which contained bla(VIM-4). The occurrence of the integron variants correlated well with the geographic distribution of the MBL-producing organisms, and this suggested that their emergence in particular parts of the country had been likely due to a number of independent events. The following regional dissemination of MBL producers could be attributed to various phenomena, including their clonal spread, horizontal transmission of resistance determinants, or both. All of the data collected in this study revealed that even at this early stage of detection, the epidemiological situation concerning MBL producers in Poland has already been complex and very dynamic.