[Comparison of antibacterial effects of nanoparticles of magnesium oxide and silicon oxide on methicillin resistant bacteria]

.Background and Aim: Considering bacterial resistance to common antibiotics and the need for new drugs, use of medicinal products manufactured by nano-technology, can be effective in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. In this study, we evaluated the sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella to nanoparticles of magnesium oxide and silicon oxide in vitro

Methods: Staphylococcus intermedius and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella abourtus were cultured in Mueller Hinton Broth medium. Then different concentrations of the nanoparticles of magnesium oxide and silicon oxide were added to the culture medium. After 24 hours of incubation we measured optical density [OD] by means of ELISA reader. Multi-well plate was used as controls. Using SPSS software data were analyzed by ANOVA and LSD post hock test

Results: Silicon nanoparticles prevented growth of Staphylococcus intermedious, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella abortus [p<0.0001] in a dose dependent way, but showed no antibacterial effect on Salmonella typhi. Also nanoparticles of magnesium oxide showed antimicrobial effect on the above-mentioned bacteria in a dose-dependent manner [p<0.000l]

Conclusion: Silicon oxide and magnesium oxide nanoparticles can be used and evaluated as antibacterial drugs in experimental or clinical infections

[Prevalence of needlestick injuries among the healthcare professionals in Zahedan medical sciences university]

Injury by sharp instruments and needles are major occupational health hazard for healthcare workers. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate and causes of injuries due to needle stick in healthcare workers in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. In a cross-sectional study, 231 healthcare workers of university hospitals of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences were selected at random in 2007. Data were collected through questionnaire and were analyzed by SPSS 13. From all cases 77.1% were female 56.4% of them were expert, and 50.7% were nurses. Their mean age were 34 +/- 8.1 years. Needle stick prevalence was 64.9% during the whole history of career, and 57.2% of them had experiences of needle stick more than twice. Most cases of injuries were related to using needle 55.4%, and they were mostly prone to injury during injection and phlebotomy, 55.6%. The multivariate regression analysis showed that injury due to sharp instruments in university graduates was 60% less compared to those with high school or less, and the injury risk increases 5% in each year of increase in working experience. The findings of this study highlight the importance of training and preventive measures in healthcare centers particularly among high risk group