Comparative efficiency of nitrocellulose membranes versus RODAC plates in microbial sampling on surfaces.

The efficiency of nitrocelluose membranes in collecting microbial samples from rigid and flat surfaces has been studied and compared with that of RODAC plates. The experimental design was based on multiple samplings in close succession in the same place. The median efficiency of membrane filters (78.55) was higher than that of RODAC plates (65.37). The data demonstrate the reliability of membranes and show that membranes are more efficient than RODAC plates as a sampling method for measuring surface microbial contamination.

New methods for microbial contamination monitoring: an experiment on board the MIR orbital station.

Experiment T2, carried out during the Euromir'95 mission, was an important step toward innovative methods for spacecraft microbial contamination monitoring. A new standard sampling technique permitted samples to be analysed by different means. On board, two analysis methods were tested in parallel: Bioluminescence and Miniculture. In turn, downloaded samples are being analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a powerful and promising method for the rapid detection, identification and quantification of pathogens and biofouling agents in closed manned habitats.

[Evaluation of the microbial burden using rinsing of the oral cavity in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation]. / Valutazione della carica microbica mediante sciacquo del cavo orale in pazienti sottoposti a trapianto di midollo osseo.

We report the methodology and the results of our research on the total microbic charge of the oral cavity carried out in 35 (thirty-five) patients undergoing bone marrow transplant and selective decontamination at the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Perugia, between July 1985 and December 1988. The specimens, obtained by washing the oral cavity for 15 seconds with 10 ml of sterile distilled water, were taken from each patient during his stay in the Laminar Air Flow Room (from day -7 to day +28 of the transplant). The first sample was taken before starting the selective decontamination and the microbiological controls were carried out weekly. The quantitative determination of the microbic charge was made by diluting and plating, while selective media for gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms were used for the qualitative evaluation. The results obtained prove the effectiveness of the mouth-wash method as an instrument for the evaluation of microbial contamination of the "mouth"-area, since it determines the oral microbic flora by standardized counting and testing methods which are simple to use and give rapid and reliable results. Furthermore, this method has proved to be especially useful for studying the effectiveness of the decontamination and chemoprophylaxis treatments carried out on the patients undergoing bone marrow transplants.

[Antitetanus prophylaxis: actual practice and cost benefit analysis of a hypothetical mass vaccination]. / Profilassi antitetanica: pratica attuale ed analisi costo-benefici di una ipotesi di vaccinazione di massa.

The actual practice of immunoprophylaxis in a Sanitary District of Campania (Italy) is described. As everywhere in Italy, in subjects at risk (wounded) the passive immunoprophylaxis by human specific immunoglobins is currently applied: at very high cost and with unreliable protection. The Authors suggest to implement antitetanus mass vaccination, with benefits incoming from lower expenses and higher protection.

Cadmium uptake by growing cells of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

The present study evaluates the effect of the cadmium (Cd2+) on the growth and protein synthesis of some Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus faecium) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and the cadmium uptake by the same micro-organisms. The Gram-negative bacteria tested were less sensitive to metal ions than the Gram-positive, and P. aeruginosa was the most resistant. The Gram-negative bacteria were also able to accumulate higher amounts of cadmium during growth than the Gram-positive bacteria. The maximum values of specific metal uptake (microgram of Cd2+ incorporated per mg of protein) were: 0.52 for S. aureus, 0.65 for S. faecium, 0.79 for B. subtilis, 2.79 for E. coli and 24.15 for P. aeruginosa, respectively. The differences in the ability to accumulate metal found between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria seems to account for different mechanisms of metal resistance.

Turkey red blood cell passive haemagglutination assay as guideline for specific prevention of tetanus in injured persons.

Turkey red blood cell passive haemagglutination assays (TRBC-HA) were carried out on serum samples from 873 injured patients in order to compare individual prophylactic treatment against tetanus based on the anti-tetanus antibody levels with interventions based on anamnestic criteria. The results showed a great difference: according to the anamnesis 124 persons (14.2%) were protected, 253 (29%) were partially protected, and 496 (56.8%) were unprotected; according to the TRBC-HA assay, 479 (54.9%) were protected, 279 (32%) partially protected, and 115 (13.2%) unprotected.The efficiency of the prophylactic treatments given on the basis of the two criteria was also compared in a study of 129 injured patients who were divided in two groups: group 1 (50 patients) received 250 IU of human tetanus immunoglobulin (HTI) regardless of their tetanus immunity, and group II (79 patients) received appropriate or no treatment depending on the level of anti-tetanus antibodies determined by TRBC-HA assay. The results showed that prophylactic interventions based on the anti-tetanus antibody levels can give protection in 100% of injured patients at minimum cost and risk.

[Vaginal microscopic evidence in women with symptoms of genital infection]. / Reperti microscopici vaginali in donne con sintomi di infezione genitale.

PIP: Vaginal living organisms have been defined as the most complete in human ecology. As many as 100 million colonies of microorganisms can live in a single ml of vaginal liquid. More common are the anaerobic types, particularly the lactobacillus and bacteroides. The low pH of the vagina, normally 4, is due to the high lactic acid content of the lactobacillus. Pathogenic bacteria is inhibited at 4.5 pH. Conversely, it proliferates at a high pH. The slightest alteration of this delicate equilibrium allows potentially pathogenic bacteria to grow to a concentration high enough to produce symptoms. Researchers have sought to identify new pathological microorganisms, due to the increase in reported cases of vaginal infection in recent years. New strains such as microplasmas and chlamydia are assuming greater importance. Evidence of the numerous vaginal microbes comes from anamnestic, symptomatological data and from simple laboratory tests conducted in gynecological clinics with microscopes and Gram coloration. 663 women were examined in 6 laboratories. The computerized data revealed that only 29, or 4.37%, showed no symptoms at all and had gone to the lab for a mere check up; 175, or 26.40%, complained of pain, burning and itching; 361, or 54.45%, revealed symptoms associated with leukorrhea; 98, or 14.78%, showed only leukorrhea. The epidemiological study shows the importance of candida albicans in the infectious pathology of the female genital organ. Trichomonas vaginalis and grambacteria infection have been detected particularly when an IUD is used. The negative result of numerous bacterioscopic exams has shown the necessity of more in-depth study of genital infections, using analytical cultural methodology.^ieng