A safe and practical decontamination method to reduce the risk of bacterial colonization of ultrasound transducers.

PURPOSE: Hospital-acquired infections is a major concern affecting patient management, in which medical instruments and devices play an important role. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of bacterial contamination of the sonographic probe and describe an effective, safe, and practical decontamination method. METHODS: The study's sample consisted of 50 patients. Cultures were taken from the probe surface both after each examination and after the probes had been wiped clean with a dry, nonsterile paper towel. Cultures were also taken randomly from the coupling gel. RESULTS: Initial cultures were positive in 49 cases (98%) for aerobic and in 26 cases (52%) for anaerobic bacteria. Cultures obtained after cleaning the probe were positive in only 21 cases (42%) for aerobic and in 12 cases (24%) for anaerobic bacteria. The most common bacteria isolated in the aerobic cultures were Streptococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and in the anaerobic cultures were Peptococcus spp. and Peptostreptococcus spp. All cultures taken from the coupling gel were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic probes may act as a medium for bacterial contamination and transmission. Cleaning of the probe with a dry, nonsterile paper towel is an easy, effective, low-cost, and device-friendly method that can reduce this risk.

Elevated serum levels of Vitamin D in infants with urolithiasis.

INTRODUCTION: The pathophysiology of urolithiasis in infancy is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate whether infants with urolithiasis have higher serum levels of vitamin D, as a possible risk factor for urolithiasis, compared to infants without urinary calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 36 infants with urolithiasis (age range, 2.5 to 24 months) were enrolled as well as 36 age- and sex-matched infants without urolithiasis. Random urine samples were tested for calcium, phosphorous, oxalate, citrate, uric acid, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and creatinine levels, and also nitroprusside test was done on the samples. Serum levels of potassium, urea nitrogen, creatinine, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorous, and uric acid were measured in all of the infants with urolithiasis. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were also measured in the control group. RESULTS: Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were significantly higher in the infants with urolithiasis than in the controls (33.85 ± 14.78 ng/mL versus 18.26 ± 7.43 ng/mL, P < .001). Nine infants in the urolithiasis group (25%) were found to have hypercalcemia; 3 of these cases also had hypervitaminosis D. Hypercalciuria was detected in 10 infants with urolithiasis (27.8%), hypocitraturia in 6 (16.7%), hypomagnesiuria in 3 (8.3%), and hyperoxaluria in 1 (2.8%). Nineteen infants with urolithiasis had at least one metabolic disorder. CONCLUSIONS: High serum levels of vitamin D may play an important role in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis in infants with hypercalcemia. We recommend evaluation of vitamin D levels in these infants.

Human herpesvirus-6 viral load and antibody titer in serum samples of patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the number of cases with definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) being on increase, the role of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) infection as a trigger for MS disease still is deliberated. Based on antibody detection and quantitative HHV-6 polymerase chain reaction assay, this study was achieved to find out the possible association between infection with HHV-6 and clinical progression of MS disease. METHODS: A total of 108 serum samples were obtained from 30 MS patients followed prospectively for a 6-month period. These samples were analyzed for the presence of HHV-6 DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and for anti-HHV-6 IgG titer. Activation of the disease was determined by either magnetic resonance imaging or by clinical status of the patients. Control groups were also included. RESULTS: The average antibody index for the MS patients in the first sample collection was higher than both control groups (p = 0.001). HHV-6 DNA was detected in the serum samples of 10 of 30 MS patients. The mean HHV-6 viral load in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with and without relapse was 973 and 714, respectively. Seven patients showed an exacerbation during the study period. Of those, four patients had HHV-6 DNA in their collected samples. The prevalence of HHV-6 DNA was significantly higher in patients with MS as compared with control groups (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that HHV-6 is implicated somehow in MS disease. Over time, rising HHV-6 IgG antibody titers together with an exacerbation and detection of HHV-6 DNA in serum samples of some MS patients suggests possible association between the reactivation of the virus and disease progression.