Immobilization of bacteriophage in wound-dressing nanostructure.

Opportunistic bacteria that cause life-threatening infections are still a central problem associated with a healthcare setting. Bacteriophage capsid immobilization on nanostructured polymers maximizes its tail exposure and looks promising in applications toward skin-infections as alternative to antibiotics standardly used. The main goal of this work was to investigate the covalent immobilization of vB_Pae_Kakheti25 bacteriophage capsid on polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers (non-woven textile), as a potential effective antimicrobial, laundry resistant and non-toxic dressing for biomedical use. Surface analyses showed that the immobilization of vB_Pae_Kakheti25 bacteriophage capsid on PCL nanofibres oriented bacteriophage tails to interact with bacteria. Furthermore, antimicrobial assays showed a very effective 6 log bacterial reduction, which was equivalent to 99.9999%, after immediate and 2 hours of contact, even following 25 washing cycles (due to covalent bond). The activity of PCL-vB_Pae_Kakheti25 against P. aeruginosa was immediate and its reduction was complete.

Optimal bandaging of smallpox vaccination sites to decrease the potential for secondary vaccinia transmission without impairing lesion healing.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the optimal method for covering smallpox vaccination sites to prevent transmission of vaccinia. DESIGN: Randomized, nonblinded clinical trial. SETTING: Tertiary care medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Vaccinia-naive and vaccinia-experienced volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: After vaccination, study participants were randomized to receive 1 of 3 types of bandage: gauze, occlusive with gauze lining, or foam. Vaccination sites were assessed every 3 to 5 days until the lesion healed. During each visit, specimens were obtained from the vaccination site, the bandage surface before removal, and the index finger contralateral to the vaccination site and were cultured for vaccinia. Time to lesion healing was assessed. RESULTS: All 48 vaccinia-naive and 47 (87%) of 54 vaccinia-experienced participants developed a vesicle or pustule at the injection site 6-11 days after vaccination. Fourteen (14%) of 102 participants had bandage cultures positive for vaccinia. All but 1 of these vaccinia-positive cultures were of a bandage from participants randomized to the gauze bandage group, and all but 3 were of bandages from vaccinia-naive participants. No finger-specimen cultures were positive for vaccinia. One episode of neck autoinoculation occurred in a vaccinia-naive individual who had vaccinia recovered from his gauze bandage on multiple visits. The foam bandage was associated with more local adverse effects (skin irritation and induration). The time to healing did not differ among the bandage groups. CONCLUSIONS: The potential for transmission of vaccinia from a vaccination site is greater if the site is covered by gauze than if it is covered by occlusive or foam bandages. Use of an occlusive bandage with a gauze lining is the best choice for coverage of smallpox vaccination sites because of a reduced potential for vaccinia transmission and a lower reactogenicity rate. Bandage choice did not affect vaccination lesion healing.

Randomized trial comparing vaccinia on the external surfaces of 3 conventional bandages applied to smallpox vaccination sites in primary vaccinees.

BACKGROUND: Concern about accidental contact transmission after smallpox vaccination has prompted various recommendations regarding vaccination site coverage. METHODS: On days 6-8 after their first-ever smallpox vaccination, 63 adult subjects were randomized to apply a self-adhesive bandage (n=20), gauze with adhesive tape (n=21), or gauze with a semipermeable dressing (n=22) over the vaccination site for a mean of 8+/-2 h. Swabs from the external bandage surfaces and the vaccination sites were then assessed by real time vaccinia-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in blinded fashion. RESULTS: Among 58 subjects completing the study, PCR results were positive for the vaccination site in 55 (94.8%) and on 10 swabs (17.2%) from external bandage surfaces. There were no differences among the 3 bandages (P=.57). CONCLUSIONS: At 7 days after smallpox vaccination, a peak time for vaccinia shedding, a self-adhesive bandage was as effective as 2 bulkier, less convenient bandages in limiting PCR-detectable virus on the external surface.

Levantamento bibliográfico para técnica de curativo de intracath no Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido a partir da necessidade sentida pelos enfermeiros do Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição de padronizar a técnica de curativos de intracath, visto os diversos tipos de curativos realizados no Hospital. O levantamento bibliográfico foi feito na Biblioteca do Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição e do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, além do Instituto de Biociências e da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.