How is the ultrasound in rheumatology used, implemented, and applied in Latin American centers? Results from a multicenter study.

This study aimed to perform an overview of how ultrasound (US) is being used, implemented, and applied in rheumatologic centers in Latin America (LA). A retrospective, multicenter 1-year experience study was undertaken. Eighteen centers from eight countries were involved. The following information were collected: demographic data, indication to perform an US examination, physician that required the examination, and the anatomical region required for the examination. A total of 7167 patients underwent an US examination. The request for US examinations came most frequently from their own institution (5981 (83.45 %)) than from external referral (1186 (16.55 %)). The services that more frequently requested an US examination were rheumatology 5154 (71.91 %), followed by orthopedic 1016 (14.18 %), and rehabilitation 375 (5.23 %). The most frequently scanned area was the shoulder in 1908 cases (26.62 %), followed by hand 1754 (24.47 %), knee 1518 (21.18 %), ankle 574 (8.01 %), and wrist 394 (5.50 %). Osteoarthritis was the most common disease assessed (2279 patients (31.8 %)), followed by rheumatoid arthritis (2125 patients (29.65 %)), psoriatic arthritis (869 patients (12.1 %)), painful shoulder syndrome (545 (7.6 %)), connective tissue disorders (systemic sclerosis 339 (4.7 %), polymyositis/dermatomyositis 107 (1.4 %), Sjögren's syndrome 60 (0.8 %), and systemic lupus erythematosus 57 (0.8 %)). US evaluation was more frequently requested for diagnostic purposes (3981 (55.5 %)) compared to follow-up studies (2649 (36.9 %)), research protocols (339 (4.73 %)), and invasive guided procedures (198 (2.76 %)). US registered increasing applications in rheumatology and highlighted its positive impact in daily clinical practice. US increases the accuracy of the musculoskeletal clinical examination, influence the diagnosis, and the disease management.

Study of the antimicrobial efficacy of chlorhexidine in dental unit water: evaluation of microbial contamination in the dental office / Estudo da capacidade antimicrobiana da clorexidina na água do equipamento odontológico: avaliação de contaminação microbiana em ambiente odontológico

Objective: The aim of this study to count anaerobic bacteria before and after the use of dental equipment and to study the influence of chlorhexidine on the dental unit reservoir water. Methods: Sterile swabs were used to collect bacterial samples from the cuspidor, lights, syringes, low-and high speed handpieces and dental chairs (arms and backrest) before and after the placement of barriers. Blood agar plates were placed on the patient's and dentist's forehead and by the patient's nose and shoulder and exposed to aerosoils without (group 1) and with 0,5% (group 2) and 1,0% (group 3) chlorhexidine generated by the high speed handpiece. Ten aerosol samples were collected for each group. A sample of 1mL of the dental unit reservoir water was collected before and after the use of the high speed handpiece. The anaerobic bacterial counts were compared by the Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The contamination of the high speed handpiece (p=0,0431) and cuspidor (p=0,0117) increased significantly after use. Contamination in the dental unit reservoir water also increased significantly after use of the high speed handpiece. The most contaminated area was the patient's nose. Conclusion: The addition of 0,5% and 1,0% chlorhexidine in the dental office sifnificantly.

ObjetivoO objetivo deste estudo foi quantificar as bactérias anaeróbicas, antes e após o uso deequipamentos odontológicos e estudar a influência da clorexidina na água doreservatório.MétodosOs seguintes itens foram avaliados: cuspideira, luzes, seringas, baixa e alta rotação,braço da cadeira e do encosto com coleções realizadas antes e após a colocação debarreiras. A contaminação microbiana causada pelos aerossóis de alta rotação tambémfoi avaliada: Grupo 1 (controle): (100%) de água no reservatório; Grupo 2: água noreservatório contendo 0,5% de clorexidina, Grupo 3: água no reservatório contendo1,0% de clorexidina. Dez amostras de aerossol foram recolhidos a partir de cadagrupo: placas de ágar-sangue foram colocadas na testa do paciente e do dentista e nonariz e ombro do paciente. Amostra de 1mL a partir do conteúdo da água no reservatóriofoi medida antes e após a utilização de alta rotação. Comparações entre bactériasanaeróbias foram feitas com o uso de Wilcoxon e Kruskal-Wallis teste estatístico.ResultadosVerificou-se um aumento significativo na contaminação antes e após o procedimentoutilizando alta rotação (p=0,0431) e na cuspideira (p=0,0117). Foi possível observarum aumento significativo de contaminação microbiana na água do reservatório, apósa sua utilização. O nariz do paciente era a área mais afetada.ConclusãoA adição de 0,5% e 1,0% de clorexidina no reservatório representa uma reduçãosignificativa de contaminação microbiana gerado no ambiente de um consultório odontológico.