Survival of enteric pathogens in common beverages: an in vitro study.

This in vitro study was undertaken to determine the potential for survival of enteric pathogens in common drinking beverages. Three carbonated soft drinks, two alcoholic beverages, skim milk, and water were inoculated with Salmonella, Shigella, and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, and quantitative counts were performed over 2 days. Our studies showed poorest survival of all three organisms in wine, and greatest growth in milk and water. Beer and cola allowed survival of small numbers of Salmonella and E. coli at 48 h, whereas sour mix and diet cola were sterile by 48 h. Survival features may correlate with pH of the beverages. These observations may be useful in guiding travellers for appropriate beverage consumption while visiting areas endemic for "traveller's diarrhea."

Multidose vials versus single-dose vials: a study in sterility and cost-effectiveness.

A total of 197 multidose injectable vials were collected from 10 different nursing stations and evaluated for sterility. Experimental contamination studies were undertaken, and the cost-effectiveness of multidose vials was compared with that of single-dose vials. Our results showed that bacterial contamination of multidose injectable vials was not a significant hazard; in addition, contrary to common belief, the use of multidose vials was not always successful as a cost-containment measure.

Preliminary studies on conidial liberation of Blastomyces dermatitidis and Histoplasma capsulatum.

Controlled attempts to release viable conidia from cultures of Blastomyces dermatitidis and Histoplasma capsulatum with air samplers were unsuccessful. Air velocity was not fount to be a limiting factor since the conidia remained attached after conidiophores had been violently shaken by air currents in an observation chamber. Wetting these same conidiophores readily released the conidia. It is inferred that in nature conidia may be liberated by exposure to water and then dispersed by air currents.