ABSTRACT
Studies show that perfluorinated compounds cause various toxicological effects; nevertheless, effects on immune function and developmental endpoints have not been addressed at length. This study examined the effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in white leghorn hatchlings on various developmental, immunological, and clinical health parameters. In addition, serum PFOS concentrations were determined by LC/MS/MS. Embryonic day (ED) 0 eggs were injected with either safflower oil/10% DMSO (control, 0mg/kg egg wt) or PFOS in safflower oil/10% DMSO at 1, 2.5, or 5mg/kg egg wt, and the chicks were grown to post-hatch day (PHD) 14. Treatment with PFOS did not affect hatch rate. Following in ovo exposure chicks exhibited increases in spleen mass at all treatment levels, in liver mass at 2.5 and 5mg/kg egg wt, and in body length (crown-rump length) at the 5mg/kg treatment. Right wings were shorter in all treatments compared to control. Increases in the frequency of brain asymmetry were evident in all treatment groups. SRBC-specific immunoglobulin (IgM and IgY combined) titers were decreased significantly at all treatment levels, while plasma lysozyme activity was increased at all treatment levels. The PHA skin test response decreased in relation to increasing PFOS dose. Serum concentrations where significant immunological, morphological, and neurological effects were observed at the lowest dose (1mg/kg egg wt) averaged 154 ng PFOS/g serum. These concentrations fall within environmental ranges reported in blood samples from wild caught avian species; thereby, verifying that the environmental egg concentrations used for the injections do indeed relate to serum levels in hatchlings that are also environmentally relevant. These data indicate that immune alterations and brain asymmetry can occur in birds following in ovo exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of PFOS and demonstrates the need for further research on the developmental effects of perfluorinated compounds in various species.
Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Drug-Induced , Alkanesulfonic Acids/toxicity , Embryo, Nonmammalian/drug effects , Environmental Pollutants/toxicity , Fluorocarbons/toxicity , Ovum/drug effects , Alkanesulfonic Acids/pharmacology , Animals , Chick Embryo , Chickens , Crown-Rump Length , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Embryo, Nonmammalian/embryology , Embryonic Development/drug effects , Environmental Pollutants/pharmacology , Female , Fluorocarbons/pharmacology , Liver/drug effects , Organ Size/drug effects , Spleen/drug effects , Wings, Animal/drug effectsABSTRACT
In 2006, we began monitoring hand hygiene compliance by direct observation. In 2006, with no changes in the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) control program, a 38% reduction of facility-acquired rates for this organism was realized. These results indicate that focused monitoring of hand hygiene can reduce facility-acquired rates of MRSA.
Subject(s)
Cross Infection/prevention & control , Guideline Adherence/statistics & numerical data , Hand Disinfection , Infection Control/methods , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Staphylococcal Infections/prevention & control , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Cross Infection/microbiology , Female , Health Services Research , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In January 2002, Infection control professionals for Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System held a planning retreat focused on patient safety. The main challenge discussed was the control of antibiotic-resistant organisms. Rounds on the patient care units had revealed compliance issues with the current isolation procedures. The team developed a process improvement project coined the Effective Processes in Infection Control Project (EPIC). With a broad challenge of antibiotic resistance, the focus was narrowed to isolation precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). METHODS: The initial stage of the EPIC project was education, followed by routine unit rounds to monitor compliance. A tool was developed to provide immediate feedback for the nursing units. Summary reports were generated for clinical directors as a method of accountability for unit leadership. Rates for facility-acquired MRSA were monitored and compared with MRSA days at risk. RESULTS: Over a 1-year period of increased accountability, the facility-acquired rate of MRSA decreased by 30%, even though the days at risk increased. The decrease was maintained during year 2. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this project point to the importance of accountability with isolation precautions in the effort to combat the spread of MRSA in the hospital setting.
