Combined use of chemical and biological compounds to control hookworm.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined use of different chemical (albendazole, ivermectin, glycerine and Vaseline) and biological (Monacrosporium thaumasium) compounds in the control of Ancylostoma caninum. Infective larvae of A. caninum were obtained from coprocultures of positive faeces from naturally infected dogs. We used 1% ivermectin, 1% albendazole, 100% glycerine, 100% Vaseline and an isolate of the nematophagous fungus M. thaumasium (NF34), alone or in combinations. Next, an experimental test was set up with 16 groups in microtubes, with a 24-h interaction. The groups (G1 to G15) that contained any chemical or biological compound (NF34) and/or their combined use (chemical + biological) showed a difference in relation to the control group, except G5 - Vaseline 100% without combinations. It was concluded that, even on an experimental basis, the combined use of anthelmintic drugs with biological control was efficient; however, more studies must be carried out in order to elucidate the synergistic action between chemical and biological compounds to be used in the effective control of hookworms in the future.

Determination of bisphenol A in food-simulating liquids using LCED with a chemically modified electrode.

Liquid chromatography with electrochemical detector (LC-ED), using a chemically modified electrode coated with a metalloporphyrin film, is reported for determination of bisphenol A (BPA) migration from polycarbonate baby bottles. The extraction process of the samples was performed according to regulations of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), where certain food-simulating liquids [(A) distilled water, (B) acetic acid 3% V/V in distilled water, and (C) ethanol 15% V/V in distilled water] are defined along with controlled time and temperature conditions. The baseline obtained using the naked electrode showed a considerable drift which increased the detection limit. This effect was suppressed with the chemically modified electrode. A linear range up to 450 ppb along with a detection limit of 20 ppb for the amperometric detection technique was observed. The procedure described herein allowed lowering the detection limit of the method to 0.2 ppb. The value found for BPA in the food-simulating liquid is 1.2 ppb, which is below the tolerance limit for specific migration (4.8 ppm).

[Management of AIDS during traditional hospitalization and at outpatient clinics in Recife (Brazil)]. / Prise en charge du sida en hospitalisations traditionnelle et de jour à Recife (Brésil).

The management of 50 AIDS patients by traditional hospital admission (25 cases) and outpatient clinics (25 cases) was studied between August and November 1995 in the Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases of the Federal University Hospital. The most costly items of expenditure were hospital services and consumable materials. Comparison of costs was complicated by differences in clinical status of the patients in the two groups. The choice of treatment was much more dependent on clinical status than on sociodemographic factors. Traditional hospital admission tended to be associated with the poorest patients. The rationalization of care based on cost-benefit analysis requires much future work.

Postdischarge surveillance for nosocomial wound infection: does judicious monitoring find cases?

From 1988 through 1992, we conducted a prospective study of postdischarge surgical wound infection surveillance in our institution. A total of 6604 patients were seen after discharge in a centralized outpatient clinic, supervised by the infection control commission. Wounds were inspected, stitches were removed, and dressings were changed. This care was followed by referral of patients to the appropriate specialized surgical clinic. Postdischarge patient return rates for the period studied ranged from 68.4% to 91.2%. Wound infection detection in the outpatient clinic ranged from 32.2% (20 patients in 1991) to 50% (44 patients in 1990) for general surgical procedures and 52.9% (18 patients in 1990) to 91.4% (32 patients in 1992) for cesarean sections. Most surgical wound infections (87.6%, 127 patients) were diagnosed between the first and fourteenth postoperative days. We conclude that centralized postdischarge surveillance, as practiced in our institution, has enhanced the retrieval of wound infection data. At present, there is no universally accepted strategy for monitoring postdischarge surgical wound infection; however, we must take a rigorous approach to detect patients at risk for infection in our continuous attempt to improve the quality of surgical and postoperative care.