Development and Validation of Waste Decontamination Cycle in a Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory.

Introduction: Steam sterilization has been used for decades to effectively kill microbial contaminants in a variety of medical and commercial settings. One of the most critical aspects of safe operations in biosafety level 3 biocontainment laboratories (BSL-3) is the effective inactivation of biological select agents in the waste generated in these environments. The Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Virales Humanas "Dr. Julio I. Maiztegui" (INEVH, Pergamino, Argentina) is an institute that offers epidemiological surveillance, production of biological reagents, and production of biologicals for human use and studies of reservoirs and vectors. Some of the activities need to be done in a BSL-3 that provides biocontainment, ensuring that the materials are decontaminated before they leave the facility. The objective of this study was to design and validate a decontamination procedure for biological waste from the BSL-3 facility that guarantees steam sterilization processes. Methods: The amount and the distribution of biological waste into the autoclave and other physical parameters were defined and evaluated by calculating lethalities. Results: We evaluated autoclave basic factory programmed cycles, and it was concluded that the sterilization autoclave cycle was not efficient for decontamination of waste. A new simulated load distribution had to be defined. Discussion: The results demonstrated that autoclave factory default settings can be inadequate for sterilizing highly infectious waste, depending of types of waste, such as animal carcass and animal bed waste. Conclusion: These results of the validation process can set the standard to the design of waste management protocols to ensure effective treatment of highly infectious biological waste.

[Stability of Candid#1 vaccine to prevent Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever]. / Estabilidad de la vacuna CANDID#1 para prevenir la Fiebre Hemorrágica Argentina.

Candid#1 is the first live attenuated vaccine produced and registered in Argentina. Produced since 2003 at the INEVH to prevent Argentine hemorrhagic fever, it is obtained by harvesting supernatants of diploid cells infected with an attenuated strain of Junin virus and subsequent lyophilization. The stability of this vaccine is crucial to ensure its effectiveness. This study was aimed to evaluate the stability of Candid#1 by exposing it to different time and temperature conditions. Three vaccine batches produced in 2003 were analysed according to the following storage scheme: (a) reconstituted vaccine at 2 °C to 8 °C for 8 days; (b) lyophilized vaccine at 2 °C to 8 °C for 6 months; (c) lyophilized vaccine at -18 °C to -20 °C for 10 years. The potency was assessed in Vero cell monolayers under agar. The results were: (a) reconstituted vaccine was stable between 2 °C and 8 °C for 8 days, (b) lyophilized vaccine was stable between 2 °C and 8 °C for 2 months, and (c) lyophilized vaccine was stable 9 years between -18 °C and -20 °C, keeping all its properties. These results allowed us to establish the following storage conditions and expiration times for Candid#1: (a) reconstituted: 12 hours between 2 °C and 8 °C, (b) lyophilized: 30 days between 2 °C and 8 °C and (c) lyophilized: 9 years between -18 °C and -20 °C. Based on our results, favorable changes were made in the conditions of transport, storage and distribution of the vaccine. Domestic freezers in strategically located centers were installed, allowing the preservation of vaccine stocks for distribution to secondary vaccination centers.

Estabilidad de la vacuna Candid#1 para prevenir la fiebre hemorrágica Argentina / Stability of Candid#1 vaccine to prevent Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever

Candid#1 es la primera vacuna a virus vivo atenuado producida y registrada en Argentina. Se produce en el INEVH desde 2003 para prevenir la fiebre hemorrágica argentina y se obtiene mediante cosecha de sobrenadantes de cultivos de células diploides infectadas con una cepa atenuada del virus Junín, formulación y posterior liofilización. Su estabilidad es crucial para asegurar su efectividad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la estabilidad de Candid#1 exponiéndola a distintas condiciones de temperatura y tiempo. Tres lotes producidos en 2003 fueron sometidos al siguiente esquema de almacenamiento: (a) vacuna reconstituida conservada entre 2 °C y 8 °C durante 8 días, (b) vacuna liofilizada conservada entre 2 °C y 8 °C durante 6 meses, y (c) vacuna liofilizada conservada entre -18 °C y -20 °C durante 10 años. La potencia fue evaluada en monocapa de células Vero bajo agar. Los resultados fueron: (a) Candid#1 reconstituida fue estable 8 días entre 2 °C y 8 °C, (b) Candid#1 liofilizada fue estable 2 meses entre 2 °C y 8 °C y (c) Candid#1 liofilizada fue estable 9 años entre -18 °C y -20 °C manteniendo todos sus atributos. Estos resultados permitieron establecer las siguientes condiciones de almacenamiento: reconstituida 12 horas entre 2 °C y 8 °C, liofilizada 30 días entre 2 °C y 8 °C y 9 años entre -18 °C y -20 °C. A la luz de estos resultados, se generaron cambios favorables en las condiciones de transporte, almacenamiento y distribución de la vacuna. Se implementó la instalación de freezers domésticos en centros estratégicamente distribuidos, permitiendo preservar stocks de vacuna y distribuir las dosis necesarias a vacunatorios.

Candid#1 is the first live attenuated vaccine produced and registered in Argentina. Produced since 2003 at the INEVH to prevent Argentine hemorrhagic fever, it is obtained by harvesting supernatants of diploid cells infected with an attenuated strain of Junin virus and subsequent lyophilization. The stability of this vaccine is crucial to ensure its effectiveness. This study was aimed to evaluate the stability of Candid#1 by exposing it to different time and temperature conditions. Three vaccine batches produced in 2003 were analysed according to the following storage scheme: (a) reconstituted vaccine at 2 °C to 8°C for 8 days; (b) lyophilized vaccine at 2 °C to 8 °C for 6 months; (c) lyophilized vaccine at -18 °C to -20 °C for 10 years. The potency was assessed in Vero cell monolayers under agar. The results were: (a) reconstituted vaccine was stable between 2 °C and 8 °C for 8 days, (b) lyophilized vaccine was stable between 2 °C and 8 °C for 2 months, and (c) lyophilized vaccine was stable 9 years between -18 °C and -20 °C, keeping all its properties. These results allowed us to establish the following storage conditions and expiration times for Candid#1: (a) reconstituted: 12 hours between 2 °C and 8 °C, (b) lyophilized: 30 days between 2 °C and 8 °C and (c) lyophilized: 9 years between -18 °C and -20 °C. Based on our results, favorable changes were made in the conditions of transport, storage and distribution of the vaccine. Domestic freezers in strategically located centers were installed, allowing the preservation of vaccine stocks for distribution to secondary vaccination centers.

Evaluación de la carga microbiológica ambiental en áreas destinadas a producción y control de vacunas / Evaluation of the environmental microbiological burden in vaccine production and control areas

Objetivo: el objetivo del presente trabajo fue contribuir al aseguramiento de la calidad microbiológica de una planta de producción de vacunas, a través de la identificación de la carga microbiológica ambiental y su comportamiento frente a los desinfectantes utilizados de rutina. Método: Se estudió la flora residente de cada área clasificada. Se analizaron muestras de aire tomadas por los métodos volumétricos y sedimentación en placa. Las superficies y vestimenta del personal fueron evaluadas por el método de contacto. Se realizaron identificaciones en género y especie estableciéndose para cada área un Grupo de Microorganismos Indicador formado por microorganismos aislados con una frecuencia superior al 5 por ciento. Resultados: Bioterio: Staphylococcus spp (50 por ciento), Aerococcus spp (21 por ciento), Micrococcus spp (10 por ciento),Bacillus spp y Géneros Relacionados (6 por ciento); Cultivos Celulares Normales: Staphylococcus spp (48 por ciento), Micrococcus spp (34 por ciento),Bacillus spp y Géneros Relacionados (13 por ciento); Control de Calidad: Staphylococcus spp (50 por ciento), Micrococcus spp (27 por ciento), Kocuria spp (9 por ciento), Bacillus spp y Géneros Relacionados (7 por ciento); Producción: Staphylococcus spp (50 por ciento), Micrococcus spp (17 por ciento), Kocuria spp (11 por ciento), Leuconostoc spp (8 por ciento), Bacillus spp y Géneros Relacionados (6 por ciento). El grupo indicador para la Unidad de Producción se identificó como Staphylococcus spp (49,5 por ciento), Micrococcus spp. (23,0 por ciento), Bacillus spp y Géneros Relacionados (8,1 por ciento). El desafío de los desinfectantes en uso con cepas del grupo de microorganismos indicadores evidenció en general una acción microbicida alta. Conclusión: los resultados proporcionan información sobre la carga microbiológica del ambiente que será de utilidad tanto para la comprensión del ingreso y circulación de microorganismos como para la implementación de medidas para prevenir la contaminación microbiana, aspectos críticos en la fabricación de vacunas seguras, puras y eficaces(AU)

Objectives: the objective of this study was to support microbiological quality assurance in a vaccine production plant through identification of environmental microbiological charge and its behavior with routine disinfectants. Methods: the existing flora of each classified area was studied. Air samples taken by volumetric and plate sedimentation methods were analyzed. Surfaces and the gown of the staff were assessed by contact method. Genera and species were identified, thus setting a Group of Indicator Microorganisms made up of microorganisms that were isolated at a rate greater than 5 percent for each facility. Results: animal Facility: Staphylococcus spp (50 percent), Aerococcus spp (21 percent), Micrococcus spp (10 percent), Bacillus spp and related genera (6 percent); Normal Tissue Culture Laboratory: Staphylococcus spp (48 percent), Micrococcus spp (34 percent), Bacillus spp and related genera (13 percent); Quality Control Laboratory: Staphylococcus spp (50 %), Micrococcus spp (27 percent), Kocuria spp (9 percent), Bacillus spp and related genera (7 percent); Production: Staphylococcus spp (50 percent), Micrococcus spp (17 percent), Kocuria spp (11 percent), Leuconostoc spp (8 percent), Bacillus spp and related genera (6 percent). The Group of Indicator Microorganisms for the Production Unit was identified as Staphylococcus spp (49.5 percent), Micrococcus spp (23 percent) and Bacillus spp and related genera (8.1 percent). The regularly used disinfectants for strains from the Group of Indicator Microorganisms showed a high microbicidal efficacy. Conclusion: the results provide information about the environmental bioburden, which will be useful for the understanding of the microbial entry points and spreading and the implementation of measures to prevent microbial contamination, so critical for manufacture of safe, pure and effective vaccines(AU)

Evaluación de de la eficacia de los procesos de esterilización de consultorios odontológicos del distrito VI de la provincia de buenos aires, argentina 2006 - 2007, mediante la utilización de indicadores biológicos

En un consultorio odontológico, diversas fuentes de posible infección, como saliva, sangre, instrumentos contaminados, etc., pueden ser transmisores de microorganismos tanto a pacientes como al personal odontológico. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la eficacia de los procesos de esterilización de los consultorios odontológicos del Distrito VI de la Provincia de Buenos Aires mediante la utilización de Indicadores Biológicos. Participaron del estudio 283 odontólogos que llevaron a cabo un total de 320 procesos de esterilización por calor seco y 19 por calor húmedo. En base a los resultados obtenidos se observó que el 35 % (112/320) de los procesos de esterilización por calor seco controlados no cumplieron con los requisitos, de los cuales 63 repitieron el control y, 55/63 (87%) resolvieron el problema mediante distintas acciones correctivas. Con respecto a la esterilización por calor húmedo, el 32 % (6/19) de los procesos no cumplieron con los requisitos, en 3 de los 6 positivos se efectuaron correcciones simples obteniéndose resultados satisfactorios. El presente trabajo muestra la importancia para la comunidad, de la implementación de rutina de un sistema de control que permita garantizar la esterilidad de los materiales utilizados en los consultorios odontológicos.

In a dental office, several infectious sources, such as saliva, blood, contaminated dental instruments, may be vehicles for microorganisms to reach patients and dental proffesionals. In this work the efficacy of the sterilization process performed at dental offices belonging to the VI district of Buenos Aires Province from Argentina was evaluated through the use of Biological Indicators. Two hundred and eigthy three dentists participated of the study performing a total of 320 dry heat sterilization process and 19 wet heat ones. It was observed that the 35 % (112/320) of the dry heat sterilization process controlled didn't meet the requirements, 63 of which repeated the control and 55 (87%) solved the problem through the adoption of several corrective actions. In relation to wet heat sterilization, the 32 % (6/19) of the process didn't meet the requirements, 3 out of 6 positives overcame the problem after the implementation of corrective actions. These results show the importance for the whole community of a control program implementation in order to guarantee the sterility of the instruments used in the dental practice.