In vitro antimicrobial activity of Medilox® super-oxidized water.

AIM: Super-oxidized water is one of the broad spectrum disinfectants, which was introduced recently. There are many researches to find reliable chemicals which are effective, inexpensive, easy to obtain and use, and effective for disinfection of microorganisms leading hospital infections. Antimicrobial activity of super-oxidized water is promising. The aim of this study was to investigate the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of different concentrations of Medilox® super-oxidized water that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as high level disinfectant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, super-oxidized water obtained from Medilox® [Soosan E & C, Korea] device, which had been already installed in our hospital, was used. Antimicrobial activities of different concentrations of super-oxidized water (1/1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/20, 1/50, 1/100) at different exposure times (1, 2, 5, 10, 30 min) against six ATCC strains, eight antibiotic resistant bacteria, yeasts and molds were evaluated using qualitative suspension test. Dey-Engley Neutralizing Broth [Sigma-Aldrich, USA] was used as neutralizing agent. RESULTS: Medilox® was found to be effective against all standard strains (Acinetobacter baumannii 19606, Escherichia coli 25922, Enterococcus faecalis 29212, Klebsiella pneumoniae 254988, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27853, Staphylococcus aureus 29213), all clinical isolates (Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Myroides spp.), and all yeastsat 1/1 dilution in ≥1 minute. It was found to be effective on Aspergillus flavus at 1/1 dilution in ≥2 minutes and on certain molds in ≥5 minutes. CONCLUSION: Medilox® super-oxidized water is a broad spectrum, on-site producible disinfectant, which is effective on bacteria and fungi and can be used for the control of nosocomial infection.

Comparison of a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based system and Erlich-Ziehl-Neelsen method with culture in the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

BASCKGROUND/AIM: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is still a major health problem throughout the world, especially in developing countries. Disease control heavily depends on the establishment of early diagnosis. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of culture, GeneXpert MTB/RIF device, and Erlich-Ziehl-Neelsen direct microscopic method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 927 samples (243 respiratory and 684 nonrespiratory), which were sent to Ondokuz Mayis University Medical Faculty Tuberculosis Laboratory on suspicion of M. tuberculosis, were included in the study. RESULTS: When compared to standard culture, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the GeneXpert system for respiratory samples were 100%, 98.7%, 87%, and 100%, respectively; these values for nonrespiratory samples were 71%, 98.6%, 71%, and 98.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: New, reliable, rapid, and easy-to-use methods that display high specificity and sensitivity are required for an effective struggle against tuberculosis. According to these results, we suggest that GeneXpert MTB/RIF is a rapid and reliable system, and when used in company with conventional tests, it would make significant contributions to the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

An investigation into the in-vitro effectiveness of electrolyzed water against various microorganisms.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in-vitro antimicrobial activity of usage and normal concentrations of electrolyzed water in hospital. In our study, the effects of different concentrations of electrolyzed water named Envirolyte® (Industries International Ltd., Estonia) on two gram positive, four gram negative standard strains and clinical isolates of four gram negative, two gram positive, one spore-forming bacillus and Myroides spp strains that lead to hospital infections were researched. The effects of different concentrations and different contact times of Envirolyte® electrolyzed water on cited strains were researched through method of qualitative suspension tests. Petri dishes fo bacteria have been incubated at 37°C 48 hours. Bactericidal disinfectant was interpreted to be effective at the end of the period due to the lack of growth. Solutions to which disinfectant were not added were prepared with an eye to control reproduction and controlcultures were made by using neutralizing agents. 1/1, 1/2, and 1/10 concentrations of Envirolyte® electrolyzed water were found to be effective on the bacteria that lead to hospital infections used during all test times. As a conclusion, based upon the results we acquired, it was observed that Envirolyte® electrolyzed water of 100% concentration would be convenient to be used for disinfection when diluted to a usage concentration of 1/10.

Evaluation of the efficacy of akacid plus® fogging in eradicating causative microorganism in nosocomial infections.

OBJECTIVE: The novel polymeric guanidine Akacid Plus® is a member of the cationic family of disinfectants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the activity of Akacid Plus® against bacteria which cause nosocomial infections and remain viable after contaminating the environment and determine the effects of organic materials to the activity. METHODS: Closed room and control room were created for experimental disinfection. Bacterial suspensions of 0.5 McFarland were prepared from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Acinetobacter baumannii and vancomycine-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) strains. A 0.1 mL of each suspension was applied on the chipboard (25 cm(2)) and tile (25 cm(2)) test surfaces without albumin and with 2% albumin to simulate organic dirt, and the test surfaces were placed in the test and control rooms after drying. Before testing, cotton swab premoistened with serum physiologic was used to obtain samples from various surfaces in the environment and the samples were transferred onto 5% sheep blood agar for incubation at 37°C. Akacid Plus® solution at a concentration of 0.5% was nebulized with an aerosol applicator (Prowi-06, Germany) for 45 minutes. After a 2-hour waiting period, 1 mL neutralizing broth (Dey-Engley Neutralizing Broth, Fluka) was transferred on the test surfaces, and samples were collected with a swab from the test surfaces and various surfaces in the testing room and inoculated on 5% sheep blood agar for incubation at 37oC for 24 hours. At the end of the incubation period, number of colonies were evaluated on the control and test plates. RESULTS: Although coagulase-negative staphylococci, Bacillus spp., and fungi were grown in cultured samples obtained from the environment of experimental laboratory, no growth was observed in the test plates after room disinfection with Akacid Plus®. After room disinfection, MRSA and A. baumannii were not detectable in the cultured media prepared from the test surfaces with or without albumin. The bacterial count for vancomyine-resistant E. faecium was reduced from 10(7) to 5×10(2) on surfaces without albumin and from 10(7) to 2.5×10(3) on surfaces with albumin. All test plates prepared from the surfaces in the control room showed abundant growth of the microorganism. CONCLUSION: The nebulization of Akacid plus® solution at a concentration of 0.5% proved to be an efficient means of disinfection for the removal of pathogenic microorganisms that cause hospital outbreaks and use of isolation measures.

[Evaluation of materials sent due to suspected cystic echinococcosis to the parasitology laboratory of Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School between the Years 2005-2011]. / Kistik Ekinokokkozis Süphesi ile 2005-2011 Yillari Arasinda Ondokuz Mayis Üniversitesi Tip Fakültesi Parazitoloji Laboratuvarina Gönderilen Örneklerin Degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVE: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important health problem common in our country. In this study, anti-Echinococcus granulosus IgG antibodies were investigated in the serum samples of 454 patients who attended the Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology between 2005 and 2011. METHODS: IHA (Fumouze, France) and ELISA (R-Biopharm, Germany) tests were performed at the same time. RESULTS: While serum samples from 328 patients (72%) were negative with both tests, 81 samples (18%) were found to be positive with both tests. Forty (49%) cases were female, 41 (51%) cases were male who were positive by both tests. 25 (31%) positive cases were between 31 and 50 years old. While IHA was negative for 33 patients (7%) ELISA was positive for the same samples. In 2 patients (0.4%), both tests revealed low-positivity. CONCLUSION: Using these two tests together for serologic detection of cystic echinococcosis could be recommended because of the high sensitivity and specificity ratios.

[Strongyloides stercoralis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis: case report]. / Ankilozan Spondilitli Bir Hastada Strongyloides stercoralis: Olgu Sunumu.

Strongyloidiasis is a nematode-borne disease caused by several Strongyloides species. This case was presented in order to indicate Strongyloidosis in immunocompromised patients with several clinical findings. A fifty-five year old male patient on corticosteroid medication for a long time because of ankylosing spondylitis was on infliximab medication for 5 years. He presented with swelling of his right foot for ten days, right shoulder stiffness and low back pain. The presence of anaemia was remarkable. S. stercoralis was reported in histological examination of endoscopic duodenal biopsy specimen. Peripheral blood smear showed 68.4% neutrophils, 17% lymphocytes, 7.5% monocytes, and 6.7% (normal range 2%-6.2) eosinophils. The level of IgE was raised: 285IU/mL (normal range 5-120IU/mL). A large number of S. stercoralis larvae were detected upon stool examination with saline and iodine mounts and the formaldehyde ether concentration method. After treatment with two cure albendazole 400 mg/day for 7 days, S. stercoralis larvae were not detected in stool examination. It is interesting that response to treatment was not observed on the first cure and the recovery was seen on the second cure. We suggest that hyperinfections should be taken into consideration in the diagnosis and treatment of immunocompromised patients with several complaints so that life-threatening effects of the nematode may be prevented.