Differences in body temperature between black-and-white and red-and-white Holstein cows reared on a hot climate using infrared thermography.

Heat stress is one of the greatest issues of the dairy industry in regions with hot climate. Since coat color appears to be related to heat stress adaptiveness, we compared rectal temperatures and surface temperatures of Red-and-white (RW, n = 14) and Black-and-white (BW, n = 16) Holstein cows using infrared thermography in both cold (July; mean temperature: 15.5 °C) and hot (March; mean temperature: 30.5 °C) seasons in Southern Brazil. Thermographic images were taken from the left side of the animal at a distance of 4 m. The images obtained were then analyzed using the software Testo IRSoft. The variables obtained by thermography of the body surface include the temperature of non-pigmented patches, obtained using the average of five spots on white patches in a rectangle drawn on the body of the cow from the scapula to the ilium of the cow until the middle of the ribs; the temperature of pigmented patches, obtained using an average of 5 pigmented spots on the same rectangle; the temperature at the hottest spot and the temperature at the coldest spot, within the same rectangle. Rectal temperature measures were taken by a mercury thermometer during milkings. In our findings, during the cold season, RW cows had lower temperatures on the surface of pigmented spots (p = 0.01) but did not differ from BW animals when comparing rectal temperatures (p = 0.70). During the hot season, however, RW cows had lower temperatures on white spots (p = 0.049) as well as lower rectal temperatures (p = 0.029). These results suggest that the red coat phenotype presents less absorption of solar radiation, retaining less heat.

In vitro activity of antimicrobial-impregnated catheters against biofilms formed by KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

AIM: To evaluate the activity and effectiveness of impregnated central venous catheters (CVC) against Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilms. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antimicrobial activity and durability of impregnated-CVCs were evaluated over time and the size of zones of inhibition (ZI) was measured. Biofilm formation was observed by quantitative culture and also by scanning electron microscopy. The catheters impregnated with chlorhexidine/silver sulfadiazine (CHX/SS) reduced bacteria counts by 0·3 log and were most effective (P < 0·01) against Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilms N-acetylcysteine/levofloxacin (NAC/LEV) catheters. It was observed that the catheter impregnated with NAC/LEV had initially the largest average ZI size being statistically significant (P < 0·01). The NAC/LEV combination remained active until day 30, whereas the combination of CHX/SS was completely inactivated from day 15 on. CONCLUSIONS: The NAC/LEV combination showed greater durability on the catheters, but it was the CHX/SS combination that had the greater initial efficacy in bacterial inhibition. It was also observed that NAC/LEV-impregnated catheters do not prevent the emergence of resistant subpopulations inside the inhibition halos during antimicrobial susceptibility tests. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our results highlighted that the in vitro efficacy of antimicrobial-impregnated CVCs is limited by time and that their colonization occurred earlier than expected. Our data also demonstrated that NAC/LEV remained active until day 30 of evaluation and CHX/SS combination was completely inactivated from day 15 on. Our findings suggested that implantable devices should be carefully used by medical community.

Internal quality control indicators in cervical cytopathology of a university laboratory.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the internal quality control indicators and quality management programme in a university cytopathology laboratory. METHODS: All results of conventional cervical smears tests (taken from the SISCAN, the Brazilian cervical cancer screening system) of women aged ≥15 years at the time of Papanicolaou smear specimen collection during January 2007-December 2014 were included. The final results of the cytopathology were classified in accordance with the Bethesda System. The variables included in the database were the woman's name, date of birth, and age at the time of sampling (15-30, 31-40 and older than 40 years). RESULTS: In this period, 50 286 cytopathology examinations were carried out. Of these, 44 386 (91.34%) were negative for malignancy or unsatisfactory and 4209 (8.66%) presented epithelial abnormalities. The percentage of the tests consistent with atypical squamous cells (ASC) between satisfactory examinations was 4.12%; the percentage of tests compatible with ASC among abnormal examinations was 47.87%; the ASC/squamous intraepithelial lesion) ratio was 0.97 and the percentage of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion among satisfactory tests was 2.21%, and the 5-year retrospective review identified 4.97% of false-negative results. CONCLUSION: All rates obtained were consistent over the years and within the recommended values by Federal Regulation of Brazil. This demonstrates the efficacy of our established internal quality monitoring and continuing education, reflecting the commitment of the team involved in the release of smear reports.

Fifteen Year Results of Radiofrequency Ablation, Using VNUS Closure, for the Abolition of Truncal Venous Reflux in Patients with Varicose Veins.

OBJECTIVES: Endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) of varicose veins was introduced in the late 1990s with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using the VNUS Closure device. The results of the original VNUS Closure device for the abolition of truncal venous reflux at 15 years are reported. METHODS: A prospective audit of a group of patients treated with VNUS Closure 15 years previously was carried out, using clinical assessment and duplex ultrasound. A total of 189 patients were treated with VNUS Closure between March 1999 and December 2001 and were invited for clinical assessment (subjective and objective) and duplex ultrasonography (DUS) to assess treatment outcome and de novo disease progression. DUS outcome of the treated vein was graded: 1, complete success (complete atrophy); 2, partial success (> 1 patent section; none giving rise to recurrent varicose veins); 3, partial failure (≥ 1 patent sections giving rise to recurrent varicose veins); 4, complete failure. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients (91 legs, 101 truncal veins) returned for follow-up DUS, giving a 31.5% response rate (many patients had moved or had died in the 15 years). Two truncal veins had been excluded following treatment elsewhere presumably for partial or complete failure. At a mean of 15.4 years post-procedure, 51 (56%) reported no varicose veins, 58 (100%) that they were pleased that they had the procedure and 57 (98%) that they would recommend the procedure. DUS showed 88% of patients achieved success with no clinical recurrence in the originally treated veins. De novo reflux was identified in 47 of 91 legs (51.6%), showing disease progression in veins that were originally competent. CONCLUSIONS: RFA with VNUS Closure achieved excellent long-term technical success in treating venous reflux in truncal veins 15 years post-procedure, demonstrated by DUS. This bodes well for the increased use of EVTA in treating truncal vein reflux.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of clinically relevant bacteria isolated from dental waste and waste workers' hands, mucosas and coats.

Infectious wastes are potential sources of pathogenic micro-organisms, which may represent a risk to the professionals who manage them. In this study, we aimed to characterize the infectious bacteria present in dental waste and waste workers. The dental waste produced over 24 h was collected and waste workers were sampled by swabbing. Isolate resistance profiles were characterized by Vitek® and PCR and biofilm formation by Congo Red agar, string test and microtitre assay. To assess similarity between the waste and the workers' samples, a random amplified polymorphic DNA test was used. Twenty-eight bacteria were identified as clinically relevant. The most frequent gene was blaTEM present in five Gram-negative micro-organisms, and one blaSHV in Klebsiella pneumoniae. All Pseudomonas aeruginosa were positive to extracellular polymeric substances formation, except one isolated from a worker. Klebsiella pneumoniae had negative results for the string test. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed better adherence at 25°C after 48 h of incubation and K. pneumonia had the best biofilm formation at the same temperature, after 24 h. The similarity between P. aeruginosa recovered from dental waste and from workers was low, however, it is important to note that a pathogen was found on a worker's hands and that improvements in biosafety are required. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Infectious dental waste can contain clinically relevant bacteria with important resistance and biofilm profiles. These micro-organisms could be transmitted to waste workers, other professionals and patients if the principles of biosafety measures are neglected. To our knowledge, no study has ever evaluated the microbial characterization and the potential contamination risk of dental infectious waste and waste handlers. The presence of clinically relevant bacteria in the hands and nasal mucosa of waste workers highlights the need for studies in this field to clarify the risk of these pathogens in dental healthcare services, and to stress the need for an efficient waste management.

Secondary contact and asymmetrical gene flow in a cosmopolitan marine fish across the Benguela upwelling zone.

The combination of oceanographic barriers and habitat heterogeneity are known to reduce connectivity and leave specific genetic signatures in the demographic history of marine species. However, barriers to gene flow in the marine environment are almost never impermeable which inevitably allows secondary contact to occur. In this study, eight sampling sites (five along the South African coastline, one each in Angola, Senegal and Portugal) were chosen to examine the population genetic structure and phylogeographic history of the cosmopolitan bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), distributed across a large South-east Atlantic upwelling zone. Molecular analyses were applied to mtDNA cytochrome b, intron AM2B1 and 15 microsatellite loci. We detected uncharacteristically high genetic differentiation (FST 0.15-0.20; P<0.001) between the fish sampled from South Africa and the other sites, strongly influenced by five outlier microsatellite loci located in conserved intergenic regions. In addition, differentiation among the remaining East Atlantic sites was detected, although mtDNA indicated past isolation with subsequent secondary contact between these East Atlantic populations. We further identified secondary contact, with unidirectional gene flow from South Africa to Angola. The directional contact is likely explained by a combination of the northward flowing offshore current and endogenous incompatibilities restricting integration of certain regions of the genome and limiting gene flow to the south. The results confirm that the dynamic system associated with the Benguela current upwelling zone influences species distributions and population processes in the South-east Atlantic.

Media Damage Following Detergent Sclerotherapy Appears to be Secondary to the Induction of Inflammation and Apoptosis: An Immunohistochemical Study Elucidating Previous Histological Observations.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Traditionally, sclerotherapy has been thought to work by the cytotoxic effect of the sclerosant upon the endothelium alone. However, studies have shown that sclerotherapy is more successful in smaller veins than in larger veins. This could be explained by the penetration of the sclerosant, or its effect, into the media. This study aimed to investigate intimal and medial damage profiles after sclerosant treatment. METHODS: Fresh human varicose veins were treated ex vivo with either 1% or 3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STS) for 1 or 10 minutes. The effect of the sclerosant on the vein wall was investigated by immunofluorescent labelling of transverse vein sections using markers for endothelium (CD31), smooth muscle (α-actin), apoptosis (p53) and inflammation (intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1]). Polidocanol (POL; 3%) treatment at 10 minutes was similarly investigated. RESULTS: Endothelial cell death was concentration- and time-dependent for STS but incomplete for both sclerosants. Time, but not concentration, significantly affected cell death (p > .001). A 40% and 30% maximum reduction was observed for STS and POL, respectively. Destruction of 20-30% of smooth muscle cells was found up to 250 µm from the lumen after 3% STS treatment for 10 minutes. POL treatment for 10 minutes showed inferior destruction of medial cells. Following STS treatment and 24-hour tissue culture, p53 and ICAM-1 were upregulated to a depth of around 300 µm. This effect was not observed with POL. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory and apoptotic markers show the same distribution as medial cell death, implying that sclerotherapy with STS works by inducing apoptosis in the vein wall rather than having an effect restricted to the endothelium. Incomplete loss of endothelial cells and penetration of the sclerosant effect up to 250 µm into the media suggest that medial damage is crucial to the success of sclerotherapy and may explain why it is less effective in larger veins.

Study of IRF6 and 8q24 region in non-syndromic oral clefts in the Brazilian population.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between non-syndromic oral cleft and variants in IRF6 (rs2235371 and rs642961) and 8q24 region (rs987525) according to the ancestry contribution of the Brazilian population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects with oral cleft (CL, CLP, or CP) and their parents were selected from different geographic regions of Brazil. Polymorphisms were genotyped using a TaqMan assay and genomic ancestry was estimated using a panel of 48 INDEL polymorphisms. RESULTS: A total of 259 probands were analyzed. A TDT detected overtransmission of the rs2235371 G allele (P = 0.0008) in the total sample. A significant association of this allele was also observed in CLP (P = 0.0343) and CLP + CL (P = 0.0027). IRF6 haplotype analysis showed that the G/A haplotype increased the risk for cleft in children (single dose: P = 0.0038, double dose: P = 0.0022) and in mothers (single dose: P = 0.0016). The rs987525 (8q24) also exhibited an association between the A allele and the CLP + CL group (P = 0.0462). These results were confirmed in the probands with European ancestry. CONCLUSIONS: The 8q24 region plays a role in CL/P and the IRF6 G/A haplotype (rs2235371/rs642961) increases the risk for oral cleft in the Brazilian population.

Ovarian Vein Diameter Cannot Be Used as an Indicator of Ovarian Venous Reflux.

OBJECTIVES: Previous research into pelvic venous reflux has suggested that the size of the ovarian veins indicates the presence or absence of reflux. It is already known that vessel diameter is not an indicator of reflux in the great saphenous vein. However, to this day, physicians still use vein size to plan treatment of refluxing ovarian veins. The authors aimed to investigate whether or not vessel diameter can be used as an indicator of reflux in the ovarian veins. METHODS: Nineteen female patients (mean 40.2 years, range 29-60) presenting to a specialist vein unit with leg varicose veins underwent duplex ultrasonography (DUS). All were found to have a significant pelvic contribution to their leg reflux on transvaginal duplex ultrasonography (TVS) and were referred to an interventional radiologist for treatment by transjugular coil embolization. During the procedure, the diameter of the ovarian veins was measured using digital subtraction venography. RESULTS: Thirty-four ovarian veins were measured (17 right, 17 left) and of these 18 were found to be non-refluxing while 16 displayed reflux. The mean diameter of the non-refluxing veins was 7.2 mm (range 3-13 mm)and that of the refluxing veins was 8.5 mm (range 4-13 mm). This difference was found to be insignificant at a 95% confidence level (Student t test, p = .204). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference between the diameters of competent and refluxing ovarian veins and, as such, techniques that measure vein diameter may not be suitable for the diagnosis of venous reflux in the ovarian veins.

Theoretical study of radiative electron attachment to CN, C2H, and C4H radicals.

A first-principle theoretical approach to study the process of radiative electron attachment is developed and applied to the negative molecular ions CN(-), C4H(-), and C2H(-). Among these anions, the first two have already been observed in the interstellar space. Cross sections and rate coefficients for formation of these ions by direct radiative electron attachment to the corresponding neutral radicals are calculated. For the CN molecule, we also considered the indirect pathway, in which the electron is initially captured through non-Born-Oppenheimer coupling into a vibrationally resonant excited state of the anion, which then stabilizes by radiative decay. We have shown that the contribution of the indirect pathway to the formation of CN(-) is negligible in comparison to the direct mechanism. The obtained rate coefficients for the direct mechanism at 30 K are 7 × 10(-16) cm(3)/s for CN(-), 7 × 10(-17) cm(3)/s for C2H(-), and 2 × 10(-16) cm(3)/s for C4H(-). These rates weakly depend on temperature between 10 K and 100 K. The validity of our calculations is verified by comparing the present theoretical results with data from recent photodetachment experiments.

Evaluating the resolution power of new microsatellites for species identification and stock delimitation in the Cape hakes Merluccius paradoxus and Merluccius capensis (Teleostei: Merlucciidae).

The utility of 15 new and 17 previously published microsatellite markers was evaluated for species identification and stock delimitation in the deep-water hake Merluccius paradoxus and the shallow-water hake Merluccius capensis. A total of 14 microsatellites were polymorphic in M. paradoxus and 10 in M. capensis. Two markers could individually discriminate the species using Bayesian clustering methods and a statistical power analysis showed that the set of markers for each species is likely to detect subtle genetic differentiation (FST < 0·006) that will be valuable to delimit and characterize genetic stocks.

Scattering matrix approach to the dissociative recombination of HCO+ and N2H+.

We present a theoretical study of the indirect dissociative recombination of linear polyatomic ions at low collisional energies. The approach is based on the computation of the scattering matrix just above the ionization threshold and enables the explicit determination of all diabatic electronic couplings responsible for dissociative recombination. In addition, we use the multi-channel quantum-defect theory to demonstrate the precision of the scattering matrix by reproducing accurately ab initio Rydberg state energies of the neutral molecule. We consider the molecular ions N2H(+) and HCO(+) as benchmark systems of astrophysical interest and improve former theoretical studies, which had repeatedly produced smaller cross sections than experimentally measured. Specifically, we demonstrate the crucial role of the previously overlooked stretching modes for linear polyatomic ions with large permanent dipole moment. The theoretical cross sections for both ions agree well with experimental data over a wide energy range. Finally, we consider the potential role of the HOC(+) isomer in the experimental cross sections of HCO(+) at energies below 10 meV.

Vibration-vibration and vibration-translation energy transfer in H2-H2 collisions: a critical test of experiment with full-dimensional quantum dynamics.

Quantum scattering calculations of vibration-vibration (VV) and vibration-translation (VT) energy transfer for non-reactive H2-H2 collisions on a full-dimensional potential energy surface are reported for energies ranging from the ultracold to the thermal regime. The efficiency of VV and VT transfer is known to strongly correlate with the energy gap between the initial and final states. In H2(v = 1, j = 0) + H2(v = 0, j = 1) collisions, the inelastic cross section at low energies is dominated by a VV process leading to H2(v = 0, j = 0) + H2(v = 1, j = 1) products. At energies above the opening of the v = 1, j = 2 rotational channel, pure rotational excitation of the para-H2 molecule leading to the formation of H2(v = 1, j = 2) + H2(v = 0, j = 1) dominates the inelastic cross section. For vibrationally excited H2 in the v = 2 vibrational level colliding with H2(v = 0), the efficiency of both VV and VT process is examined. It is found that the VV process leading to the formation of 2H2(v = 1) molecules dominates over the VT process leading to H2(v = 1) + H2(v = 0) products, consistent with available experimental data, but in contrast to earlier semiclassical results. Overall, VV processes are found to be more efficient than VT processes, for both distinguishable and indistinguishable H2-H2 collisions confirming room temperature measurements for v = 1 and v = 2.

A systematic review of the intergenerational aspects and the diverse genetic profiles of Huntington's disease.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare progressive and fatal neurogenetic degenerative disease, characterized by movement and personality disorders and by progressive dementia. Its prevalence varies by ethnic origin and different genetic profiles predisposing individuals to HD in each population. The prevalence of HD is 5-10 per 100,000 individuals in Caucasian populations of North America and Western Europe. It is an autosomal dominant disease associated with the expansion of CAG-type repetitive DNA sequences in the HTT gene. This gene, located on the short arm of chromosome 4, encodes the protein huntingtin. In this study, we reviewed 17 articles about HD that report data from 2400 affected individuals from various countries around the world, including Venezuela, China, Croatia, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Spain, Taiwan, India, the Netherlands, Russia, and the USA, with a focus on genetic profiles and intergenerational expansions or contractions of expanded alleles responsible for causing HD. We discuss the genetic characteristics of HD in different populations and any atypical cases reported in these studies.

Double origin of an occlusion after gastric bypass: Intestinal intussusception contained in a Petersen hernia.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a surgical technique described in 1970 and performed laparoscopically since 1993. Occlusions are late complications that most often occur more than 6 months after surgery. Internal hernias and intussusception are the two clinical situations that can occur after RYGB. The presentation is that of an occlusion or chronic abdominal pain. Diagnosis can be made by imaging, including abdominal and pelvic CT scans, with ingestion and injection of contrast agents if possible. Treatment is based on surgical exploration.

Zero-energy resonances of hydrogen diatom isotopologs: tuning quasiresonant transitions in vibration space.

Highly efficient and specific energy transfer mechanisms that involve rotation-rotation, vibration-vibration, and vibration-rotation exchange in diatomic molecules are examined theoretically in ultracold H(2), D(2), and HD self-collisions as a function of initial vibrational level v. The three quasiresonant mechanisms are found to operate for all vibrational levels and yield complex scattering lengths which vary smoothly with v. Exceptions to this trend occur at select high values of v where the scattering lengths are modulated by orders of magnitude corresponding to the location of an s-wave zero-energy resonance in "vibration space." The quasiresonant mechanisms, which are not very sensitive to the details of the interaction potential, generally control the final distribution of molecular states for any given initial distribution. The zero-energy resonances are more sensitive to the potential and may be used to vibrationally "tune" the interaction strength, similar to methods which vary applied external fields.

Volvulus of the appendix secondary to appendicular mucocele.

A 44-year-old woman presented with appendicular volvulus secondary to an appendicular mucocele. Appendicular volvulus symptomatology is similar to that of acute appendicitis. Diagnosis is often interoperative. In the event of secondary volvulus, surgical procedure addresses the underlying pathology; in our case, it consisted in appendicectomy and mesoappendix resection.

Quantum dynamics of rovibrational transitions in H2-H2 collisions: internal energy and rotational angular momentum conservation effects.

We present a full dimensional quantum mechanical treatment of collisions between two H(2) molecules over a wide range of energies. Elastic and state-to-state inelastic cross sections for ortho-H(2) + para-H(2) and ortho-H(2) + ortho-H(2) collisions have been computed for different initial rovibrational levels of the molecules. For rovibrationally excited molecules, it has been found that state-to-state transitions are highly specific. Inelastic collisions that conserve the total rotational angular momentum of the diatoms and that involve small changes in the internal energy are found to be highly efficient. The effectiveness of these quasiresonant processes increases with decreasing collision energy and they become highly state-selective at ultracold temperatures. They are found to be more dominant for rotational energy exchange than for vibrational transitions. For non-reactive collisions between ortho- and para-H(2) molecules for which rotational energy exchange is forbidden, the quasiresonant mechanism involves a purely vibrational energy transfer albeit with less efficiency. When inelastic collisions are dominated by a quasiresonant transition calculations using a reduced basis set involving only the quasiresonant channels yield nearly identical results as the full basis set calculation leading to dramatic savings in computational cost.

Multi-city comparative PM2.5 source apportionment for fifteen sites in Europe: The ICARUS project.

PM2.5 is an air pollution metric widely used to assess air quality, with the European Union having set targets for reduction in PM2.5 levels and population exposure. A major challenge for the scientific community is to identify, quantify and characterize the sources of atmospheric particles in the aspect of proposing effective control strategies. In the frame of ICARUS EU2020 project, a comprehensive database including PM2.5 concentration and chemical composition (ions, metals, organic/elemental carbon, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) from three sites (traffic, urban background, rural) of five European cities (Athens, Brno, Ljubljana, Madrid, Thessaloniki) was created. The common and synchronous sampling (two seasons involved) and analysis procedure offered the prospect of a harmonized Positive Matrix Factorization model approach, with the scope of identifying the similarities and differences of PM2.5 key-source chemical fingerprints across the sampling sites. The results indicated that the average contribution of traffic exhausts to PM2.5 concentration was 23.3% (traffic sites), 13.3% (urban background sites) and 8.8% (rural sites). The average contribution of traffic non-exhausts was 12.6% (traffic), 13.5% (urban background) and 6.1% (rural sites). The contribution of fuel oil combustion was 3.8% at traffic, 11.6% at urban background and 18.7% at rural sites. Biomass burning contribution was 22% at traffic sites, 30% at urban background sites and 28% at rural sites. Regarding soil dust, the average contribution was 5% and 8% at traffic and urban background sites respectively and 16% at rural sites. Sea salt contribution was low (1-4%) while secondary aerosols corresponded to the 16-34% of PM2.5. The homogeneity of the chemical profiles as well as their relationship with prevailing meteorological parameters were investigated. The results showed that fuel oil combustion, traffic non-exhausts and soil dust profiles are considered as dissimilar while biomass burning, sea salt and traffic exhaust can be characterized as relatively homogenous among the sites.

Isolation of clinically relevant fungal species from solid waste and environment of dental health services.

AIMS: This study was undertaken to detect, identify and determine antifungal susceptibility of yeast strains isolated from dental solid waste and to evaluate airborne fungi in the Brazilian dental health care environment and in the waste storage room. METHODS AND RESULTS: A group of 17 yeast strains were identified by macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, API 20C Aux system and Multiplex PCR. All 104 airborne fungal colonies were identified by macroscopic and microscopic morphology. The CLSI broth microdilution method was utilized as the susceptibility test. Candida parapsilosis was the prevailing yeast species recovered from waste, followed by Rhodotorula glutinis. Three strains of Candida guilliermondii presented minimal inhibitory concentration values considered to be susceptible dose dependent (2 µg ml(-1)) to voriconazole. Of all airborne fungal species, 69% were recovered from the waste storage room and 31% were recovered from the clinical/surgical environment. Most of them were identified as Cladosporium spp. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reinforce the potential risk of waste handling and point out the need for safe management to minimize the spread of these agents to the environment. Filamentous fungi isolation in almost all sampled environments indicates that a periodic monitoring of airborne microbiota in the dental health care service environment is required. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The survival of yeast strains for 48 h suggests that dental waste should be carefully controlled and monitored.