Impact of negative pressure system on microbiological air quality in a Central Sterile Supply Department.

OBJECTIVE: Guidelines recommend that the cleaning area in a Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) maintain a negative pressure of the environmental air, but how much this system can impact the contamination of the air by bioaerosols in the area is not known. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of negative pressure on CSSD by evaluating the microbiological air quality of this sector. METHODS: Microbiological air samples were collected in two CSSD in the same hospital: one with and one without a negative air pressure system. Outdoor air samples were collected as a comparative control. Andersen six-stage air sampler was used to obtain the microbiological air samples. RESULTS: The concentration of bioaerosols in the CSSD without negative pressure was 273.15 and 206.71 CFU/m3 , while in the CSSD with negative pressure the concentration of bioaerosols was 116.96 CFU/m3 and 131.10 CFU/m3 . The number of isolated colonies in the negative pressure CSSD was significantly lower (P = .01541). CONCLUSION: The findings showed that the negative pressure system in the CSSD cleaning area contributed to the quantitative reduction in bioaerosols. However, the concentration of bioaerosols was lower than that established in the guideline for indoor air quality of many countries. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that CSSDs which do not have a negative pressure system in their cleaning area offer occupational risk.

Evaluation of aflibercept and ziv-aflibercept binding affinity to vascular endothelial growth factor, stability and sterility after compounding.

PURPOSE: To investigate the binding affinity, stability, and sterility of aflibercept and ziv-aflibercept to vascular endothelial growth factor (Holash et al. in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99(17):11393-11398, 2002. 10.1073/pnas.172398299) after compounding and storage for up to 28 days at 4 °C and - 8 °C. METHODS: Tuberculin-type 1-mL syringes were prepared containing aflibercept (40 mg/mL) and ziv-aflibercept (25 mg/mL). Samples were stored at 4 °C and - 8 °C for 0, 14, and 28 days and evaluated for the binding affinity of anti-VEGF to VEGF and stability using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The evaluation of sample sterility was performed. RESULTS: Laboratory trials with aflibercept and ziv-aflibercept showed preservation of the drug-binding capability to recombinant VEGF when stored in plastic syringes for up to 28 days at 4 °C and - 8 °C. No significant decrease in mass or concentration were observed. Microbiologic evaluations did not detect contamination in the syringes. CONCLUSIONS: The current study corroborates that compounded anti-VEGF drugs aflibercept and ziv-aflibercept do not loose stability or binding affinity and do not become contaminated if prepared under sterile conditions and stored at 4 °C or - 8 °C for 14 or 28 days.

In vitro antimicrobial analysis of aqueous humor after topical application of moxifloxacin hydrochloride 0.5%.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of aqueous humor in patients who had preoperative topical application of moxifloxacin hydrochloride 0.5%. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, Brazil. DESIGN: Comparative case series. METHODS: Twenty-nine eyes from 29 cataract surgery patients were included in this study. In the study group (n = 15 eyes), 3 topical applications of moxifloxacin hydrochloride 0.5% were administered preoperatively; in the control group (n = 14 eyes), no topical applications were administered. Aqueous humor samples were collected and stored in sterile microtubes at -80°C until analysis. Antimicrobial analysis was performed using standard strains with standard sterile filter paper disks. Inhibition halos were measured in millimeters, and both bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects were analyzed. RESULTS: Inhibition halos were observed on most of the study group plates except those with Streptococcus pneumoniae: Escherichia coli (13.93 mm ± 0.64 [SD]), Klebsiella pneumoniae (10.63 ± 0.61 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (7.47 ± 0.68 mm), and S epidermidis (4.20 ± 3.33 mm) The differences between the mean inhibition halo diameters were statistically significant (P < .0001) in all samples. No bactericidal effect was observed against any of the microorganisms studied. CONCLUSIONS: After topical application of moxifloxacin 0.5%, aqueous humor showed bacteriostatic effect against E coli, K pneumoniae, S aureus, and S epidermidis. No bactericidal effect was observed against any of the microorganisms evaluated. No antimicrobial effect against S pneumoniae was observed. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

In Vitro Antimicrobial Long-Term Evaluation of Corneal Preservation Media Against Microorganisms Using A Closed-Chamber Study Model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the existence of in vitro long-term antimicrobial activity of Optisol-GS against microorganisms related to corneal infection using a closed-chamber study model. METHODS: Optisol-GS was contaminated with microorganisms related to corneal infections, and different times after contamination was analyzed using a closed-chamber study model. Microbial growths were analyzed by macroscopic observation. RESULTS: For Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, bacterial growth was observed in samples taken 1 hour through 7 days and 14 days after contamination occurred. For Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Candida albicans, microbial growth was observed in all samples studied. For Streptococcus pneumoniae, bacterial growth was observed in samples taken 1 hour through 72 hours after contamination. For Streptococcus pyogenes, bacterial growth was observed in samples taken 1 hour through 7 days after contamination. For Escherichia coli, bacterial growth was observed in samples taken 1 hour through 48 hours after contamination occurred. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that no in vitro antimicrobial effect for any microorganism analyzed was observed in contaminated Optisol-GS after 72 hours; however, effective antimicrobial activity was observed for S. aureus, Str. pneumoniae, Str. pyogenes, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli after 7 to 10 days.

The effects of pneumoperitoneum and controlled ventilation on peritoneal lymphatic bacterial clearance: experimental results in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pneumoperitoneum, both alone and in combination with controlled ventilation, on peritoneal lymphatic bacterial clearance using a rat bacterial peritonitis model. METHOD: A total of 69 male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally inoculated with an Escherichia coli solution (10(9) colony-forming units (cfu)/mL) and divided into three groups of 23 animals each: A (control group), B (pneumoperitoneum under 5 mmHg of constant pressure), and C (endotracheal intubation, controlled ventilation, and pneumoperitoneum as in Group B). The animals were sacrificed after 30 min under these conditions, and blood, mediastinal ganglia, lungs, peritoneum, liver, and spleen cultures were performed. RESULTS: Statistical analyses comparing the number of cfu/sample in each of the cultures showed that no differences existed between the three groups. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we concluded that pneumoperitoneum, either alone or in association with mechanical ventilation, did not modify the bacterial clearance through the diaphragmatic lymphatic system of the peritoneal cavity.

The effects of pneumoperitoneum and controlled ventilation on peritoneal lymphatic bacterial clearance: experimental results in rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pneumoperitoneum, both alone and in combination with controlled ventilation, on peritoneal lymphatic bacterial clearance using a rat bacterial peritonitis model. METHOD: A total of 69 male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally inoculated with an Escherichia coli solution (109 colony-forming units (cfu)/mL) and divided into three groups of 23 animals each: A (control group), B (pneumoperitoneum under 5 mmHg of constant pressure), and C (endotracheal intubation, controlled ventilation, and pneumoperitoneum as in Group B). The animals were sacrificed after 30 min under these conditions, and blood, mediastinal ganglia, lungs, peritoneum, liver, and spleen cultures were performed. RESULTS: Statistical analyses comparing the number of cfu/sample in each of the cultures showed that no differences existed between the three groups. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we concluded that pneumoperitoneum, either alone or in association with mechanical ventilation, did not modify the bacterial clearance through the diaphragmatic lymphatic system of the peritoneal cavity.

Antibacterial properties of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive: Does the polymerization reaction play a role?

PURPOSE: To ascertain if the polymerization reaction also contributes additionally to the antibacterial effects of two commonly used cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh liquid ethyl-cyanoacrylate (EC) and N-butyl-cyanoacrylate (BC) adhesives were applied onto 6-mm sterile filter paper discs. In the first group, the adhesive-soaked discs were immediately placed onto confluent monolayer cultures of bacteria, allowing the polymerization reaction to proceed while in culture. In the second group, the adhesive-soaked disc was allowed to first polymerize prior to being placed onto the bacterial cultures. Four types of bacteria were studied: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Immediately after the discs were applied, the cultures were incubated at 35 degrees C for 24 h. Bacterial inhibitory halos were measured in the cultures at the end of the incubation period. RESULTS: For EC, exposure of the bacteria to the cyanoacrylate polymerization reaction increased the bacterial inhibitory halos in Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. For BC, it increased the bacterial inhibitory halos in Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. No inhibitory halos were observed in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bactericidal effect was higher in actively polymerizing EC, compared to previously polymerized EC in Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli; however, no such differences were observed for BC. CONCLUSIONS: The polymerization reaction may also be an important factor in the antibacterial properties of EC and BC.

Avaliação da antissepsia cutânea por quatro métodos em doadores de sangue / Evaluation of skin antisepsis of blood donors by four methods

A contaminação de hemocomponentes por bactérias presentes na pele do doador de sangue pode levar à infecção pós-transfusional no receptor da transfusão. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência de quatro produtos antissépticos utilizados na antissepsia da pele do antebraço de doadores de sangue. Avaliamos 363 doadores que foram distribuídos em quatros grupos (A a D) de acordo com o produto utilizado. Grupo A: álcool e tintura de iodo; grupo B: álcool e clorexidine; grupo C: álcool e grupo D: álcool e polivilpirrolidona (PVPI). Foram realizadas culturas de swabs de pele antes e após a aplicação dos produtos e hemocultura do sangue coletado para avaliação da contaminação bacteriana. Observamos que os grupos A (82/94) e D (68/78), bem como a associação dos grupos B (69/91) e C (72/100) foram semelhantes quanto ao nível de redução bacteriana pré e pós-aplicação dos antissépticos. Houve maior redução no número de colônias bacterianas nos grupos A e D quando comparados ao B e C (p<0,001). Apenas uma amostra apresentou positividade na hemocultura. Concluímos que os produtos dos grupos A (álcool e tintura de iodo) e D (álcool e PVPI) apresentaram melhor eficiência na antissepsia de pele em doadores de sangue.

Bacterial contamination of blood products from blood donor's skin can lead to infection after transfusions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of four antiseptic products used on the antecubital skin of blood donors. We evaluated 363 blood donors who were divided into four groups (A to D) according to the product used. Group A: alcohol and iodine tincture; Group B: alcohol and chlorhexidine; Group C: alcohol; and Group D: alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPI). Culture skin swabs were taken before and after the application of the products and blood cultures were collected for an assessment of bacterial contamination. We observed that Groups A (82/94) and D (68/78), and the association of the agents of Groups B (69/91) and C (72/100) were similar in the level of bacterial reduction comparing before and after the application of the antiseptic. There was a greater reduction in the number of bacterial colonies in Groups A and D when compared to B and C (p <0001). Only one blood culture was positive. We concluded that the products in Groups A (alcohol and iodine tincture) and D (alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone) have better efficiency in antisepsis of the skin of blood donors.

Efeito de diferentes gases sobre o crescimento bacteriano: estudo experimental "in vitro" / Effect of different gases on bacterial growth: experimental study \"in vitro\"

OBJETIVO: Criar um modelo experimental in vitro para estudar isolada e controladamente o efeito direto de alguns gases utilizados em vídeo-laparoscopia sobre o crescimento bacteriano, além de compará-los ao efeito do ozônio, um gás sabidamente bactericida. MÉTODO: Exposição de grupos de quinze laminocultivos do tipo URIBAC (Probac do Brasil, São Paulo/Brasil), semeados com uma de três cepas das seguintes bactérias: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, e Staphylococcus aureus. A concentração utilizada de bactéria foi de 10(4) ufc/ml, o tempo de exposição foi de uma hora, o fluxo dos gases e a pressão foram mantidos constantes em 2L/m e 11 mmHg, respectivamente. Os gases utilizados foram o dióxido de carbono e o hélio na concentração de 99,99 por cento para ambos, o ozônio a 0,4 por cento e ar comprimido como controle. Foram também deixados um grupo de quatro placas de cada bactéria sem exposição aos gases como um controle da técnica de diluição. A leitura foi realizada após vinte e quatro horas em estufa. RESULTADOS: O ozônio promoveu esterilização de 100 por cento dos laminocultivos; os demais gases não alteraram significativamente nenhuma das culturas em relação aos controles. CONCLUSÕES: O modelo de exposição criado é prático e eficiente. Os gases atualmente utilizados para a realização do pneumoperitônio não apresentam efeito bactericida significativo sobre as bactérias testadas. O Ozônio têm efeito bactericida superior aos demais gases estudados.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to create an "in vitro" experimental model to study the direct effect of some gases used in videolaparoscopy, on bacterial growth, and compare them to the effect of ozone, a bactericidal gas. METHODS: We performed some assays with display of fifteen slide cultures of URIBAC type (Probac do Brasil, São Paulo- Brasil) sown with one of the three strains of different bacterias: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Bacterial concentration was 104 ufc/ml. Exposure time was of one hour, with the flux of gases and the pressure kept constant in 2L/mm and 11mmHg, respectively. The used gases were carbon dioxide and helium, in a concentration of 99,99 percent for both, ozone 0.4 percent and compressed air as control. A group of four boards of each bacteria was left without display to the gases as a control for the dilution technique. The reading was carried through twenty four hours in incubator. RESULTS: The ozone promoted sterilization of 100 percent of the slide culture; the other gases did not promote significant changes in any of the slide cultures exposed to them, including controls. CONCLUSION: The expository model bred is practical and efficient. The gases currently used do no exert direct effect up on the tested bacteria. The ozone has a high bacterial effect, much greater than the other gases.

Identificação de espécies de Candida e susceptibilidade antifúngica in vitro: estudo de 100 pacientes com candidíases superficiais / Identification of Candida species and antifungal susceptibility in vitro: a study on 100 patients with superficial candidiasis

FUNDAMENTO: Leveduras do gênero Candida determinam colonização, infecções superficiais e infecções sistêmicas em imunodeprimidos. As várias apresentações da doença levam à necessidade de utilizar diferentes métodos diagnósticos e tratamentos. OBJETIVOS: Diferenciar as espécies de Candida e correlacioná-las com as regiões anatômicas. Avaliar a susceptibilidade a cetoconazol, fluconazol, itraconazol e anfotericina B. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 100 pacientes imunocompetentes com candidíase cutânea ou mucosa atendidos na Santa Casa de S. Paulo entre maio de 1999 e julho de 2001. Correlacionou-se a região acometida e a espécie de Candida, isolada através técnica CHROMagar Candida®. Avaliou-se a susceptibilidade das espécies a cetoconazol, fluconazol, itraconazol e anfotericina B, através do Etest®. RESULTADOS: C. albicans foi isolada em 76,0 por cento dos materiais, C. krusei em 19 por cento e C. tropicalis em 1 por cento. Não houve correlação significante entre a região acometida e as espécies. A maioria das amostras mostrou susceptibilidade aos antifúngicos. CONCLUSAO: C. albicans foi a espécie mais observada. A maioria das amostras de Candida mostrou-se susceptível aos antifúngicos.

Flora Microbiana do Esôfago Normal / Microbial Flora of Normal Esophagus

Foi estudada a flora microbiana esofágica de 30 pacientes sem doenças sistêmicas ou afecções de orofaringe ou esôfago. Através de técnica asséptica foi colhido lavado de esôfago em 30 casos e lavado de orogaringe em 10 casos. Identificamos flora mista, sendo o Estreptococos viridans o microorganismo mais frequentemente encontrado. Nos casos onde foram colhidas amostras do esôfago e da orofaringe foram registradas três ocorrências de concomitância do mesmo micro-organismo. Concluimos que a frequência de isolamento de germes no esôfago pelo método de lavagem é alta, que o germe mais frequentemente encontrado foi o Estreptococos viridans e que possivelmente existe alguma correlação entre a flora da orofaringe e a flora esofageana

Atividade in vitro da ceftriaxona frente a enterobactérias resistentes a aminoglicosídeos / Activity in vitro of ceftriaxone face to enterobacteriaceae resistant to aminoglycosides

Ceftriaxona tem se mostrado uma droga especialmente ativa "in vitro" frente às cepas multirresistentes estudadas. Assim, a CIM50 média estudada é de 0,08mg/ml, e a CIM90 media é de 3,32 mg/ml, valores que säo de 30 a 40 vezes menores do que os atingidos em sangue e 5 a 10 vezes menores do que os atingidos em líquor. Nesta forma, os resultados obtidos frente às cepas multirresistentes a aminoglicosídeos e os altos níveis que a droga atinge nos fazem concluir que esta cefalosporina pode ser uma alternativa terapêutica nas infecçöes provocadas por bacilos Gram-negativos da Família Enterobacteriaceae resistente à aminoglicosídeos

Avaliaçäo da concentraçäo inibitória mínima da ceftriaxona e de aminoglicosídeos em enterobactérias em condiçöes aeróbicas e anaeróbicas / Evaluation of minimal inhibitory concentration of ceftriaxone and aminoglycosides against enterobacteria under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

Alguns trabalhos têm demonstrado que os aminoglicosídeos apresentam uma reduçäo in vitro de sua atividade frente às enterobactérias e ao S. aureus em meios anaeróbicos. O objetivo do estudo foi o de comprovar a atividade da ceftriaxona, netilmicina e gentamicina em 30 cepas de enterobactérias isoladas de infecçöes intra e extra-hospitalares, em condiçöes de anaerobiose e aerobiose. O método para a determinaçäo da MIC foi o da diluiçäo. Os resultados demonstram que a netilmicina e gentamicina perdem (em algumas cepas) a sua atividade em condiçöes de anaerobiose, o mesmo näo ocorrendo com a ceftriaxona. Esses achados sugerem que a ceftriaxona deve ser o antibiótico de eleiçäo, nas infecçöes causadas por enterobactérias onde se suspeite de baixos níveis de oxigênio

Estudo clínico e microbiológico de cinoxacin na terapia de infecçöes do trato urinário / Clinical and microbiologic study of cinoxacin in the therapy of urinary tract infections

Trinta e dois pacientes com infecçäo urinária aguda inicial ou recorrente foram tratados com Cinoxacin na dose de 250 mg cada 12 horas por via oral. Vinte e sete pacientes (85%) apresentaram uma resposta clínica e bacteriológica satisfatória. Os pacientes näo apresentaram efeitos colaterais importantes

Estudo farmacocinético comparativo de apresentaçöes em suspensäo de ampicilina pura e de ampicilina associada a balsâmicos / Pharmacokinetic comparative study of suspension forms of pure ampicillin and ampicillin associated with balsamics

Os autores compararam as concentraçöes sangüíneas de ampicilina, após a administraçäo de uma suspensäo oral de ampicilina associada a balsâmicos e uma suspensäo oral pura de ampicilina. Näo foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas nos valores obtidos