[Detection of Pneumocystis carinii DNA in air and washes from medical equipment in hospitals].

ABSTRACT

Results of study of rooms' air and washes from medical equipment by PCR assay to detect Pneumocystis carinii DNA are presented. PCR assay sensivity was 200 copies/ml. Method of taking of air samples by MC-2 sample-taking device was modified for P. carinii detection. Sensivity of the method was 10 copies/m3. 27 air samples and 105 washes from medical equipment were studied and P. carinii DNA was not detected. It has been shown during the study that DNA of pneumocysts remains intact at room temperature during 12 days including 2-hour ultraviolet (UV) radiation treatment. After processing of studied surfaces with 0.1% solution of chloramine with subsequent UV radiation treatment during 30 minutes results of PCR assay were negative.