Rapid detection of Legionella spp in water samples by ScanVIT method: comparison of acid vs heat treatment.

BACKGROUND: A rapid detection of Legionella bacteria in water samples is crucial to minimize the risk of acquiring infections, especially in health care facilities. Different detection methods and different decontamination procedures have been reported to affect the recovery of Legionella spp. Our goal was to test the recovery of Legionella pneumophila and Legionella non-pneumophila species using a kit based on non-specific and species-specific probes to treat water samples after two different decontamination procedures. METHODS: The study was conducted with samples collected in the teaching hospital "Le Scotte" of Siena (Italy). Waters samples were analyzed by: i) ScanVIT method after treatment with acids; ii) ScanVIT method after heating; and iii) cultural standard method after heating. The results of the decontamination procedures and the detection methods were evaluated by comparing the number of Legionella-positive and -negative samples, and the recovery rates (CFU l-1) obtained by ScanVIT and the standard method. RESULTS: We find that ScanVIT method is highly sensitive with both decontamination treatments, yielding a higher recovery of L. pneumophila compared to the standard method. Conversely, ScanVIT associated with the acid-treatment yielded the highest recovery of L. non-pneumophila. CONCLUSIONS: The acid-treatment combined to the ScanVIT method increases the recovery of L. non-pneumophila in water samples compared to both ScanVIT associated with heat-treatment and standard culture method. Thus, this method may represent the best choice to detect L. non-pneumophila in water samples and reduce the risk of infection due to underestimation of Legionella loads.

The association of sexual dysfunction with race in women with gynecologic malignancies.

Gynecologic cancer survivors report sexual health among their highest concerns. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in survivors of gynecologic malignancies and to evaluate the association of sexual function with race, ethnicity and treatment modality. In this study, survivors of endometrial, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancer who presented to the gynecologic oncology practice were asked to self-administer the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) survey to evaluate their sexual function. The prevalence of SD was estimated and its association with demographic and clinical co-variates was analyzed. Of the 155 participants, the prevalence of SD was 44.5% (95%CI: 36.7-52.7). Patients were significantly more likely to report SD if they did not currently have a partner (69% vs 22% p < .01). Abstinence within six months of their cancer diagnosis was also associated with SD (72% vs 26% p < .01). Patients who self-identified as black race compared to white race were three times more likely to have SD (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.1-14.3). Patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy compared to those who did not among the entire cohort had an increased risk of SD (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 1.2-9.6). In our diverse population, almost half of our patients were identified to have SD. Black as compared to white race reported significantly higher sexual dysfunction. An increased risk for sexual dysfunction was observed among those women who received chemotherapy and radiation with or without surgery. PRECIS: Survivorship is an important issue for women with gynecologic malignancies. This study addresses the high rates of sexual dysfunction in a racially diverse patient population.