Bactericidal Solution Research Articles

An in-vitro model for bacteria-related catheter encrustations.

About 50% of individuals with long-term indwelling catheters are affected by catheter encrustations and bladder stone formation. Therefore, prophylaxis of catheter encrustations is important. Currently, however, neither an established prophylaxis nor a standardized in-vitro model to test different measures exist. We have therefore developed and qualitatively evaluated an in-vitro model of catheter encrustation. Size 14 French suprapubic catheters were incubated under sterile conditions at 37 degrees Celsius in five different media: (1) sterile artificial urine (n = 16), (2) artificial urine with E. coli (n = 8), (3) with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 8), (4) with Proteus mirabilis (n = 8), and (5) with a mix of these three strains (n = 8). Catheter balloons were inflated either a glycerine or a bactericidal solution. After 6 weeks, the catheters were removed from the solution, dried, and weighed, and a photometric determination of the retrieved encrustations was performed. Most frequently and pronounced encrustations were detected in the Pseudomonas group. The median weight of these encrustations (50% struvite and brushite) was 84.4mg (47.7mg / 127.3mg). Even on catheters stored in sterile urine, encrustations (69.2% struvite) were found. Bacterial growth was not affected by the medium used for catheter blockage. Although in-vitro models appear to be limited because they lack "the human factor", they are valuable for systematically assessing physico-chemical factors affecting encrustations. Therefore, our model, being reliable and cost-effective, may foster further research despite its limitations.

In vitro efficacy of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles against biofilm and virulence of Serratia marcescens

Zinc oxide reduced into nanosized exhibits antibacterial activity due to the interaction of ZnO with the cell surface and inside of the bacteria making them adaptive candidate for antibacterial activity. ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized using plant extract and their biomolecules makes them a safer, non-toxic and bactericidal solution against pathogenic bacteria. Till date, only few research articles are published on analysing the antibiofilm and anti-virulence activity of ZnO NPs synthesized using Ruellia tuberosa extract. Based on these literature survey, the present study was focused on synthesizing ZnO NPs using Ruellia tuberosa and efficacy to inhibit biofilm formation and virulence factor of Serratia marcescens. ZnO NPs at the concentration of 100 μg/mL showed highest antibacterial activity by reducing S. marcescens growth upto 4-fold (0.25 OD600nm) in comparison to untreated bacteria (1.8 OD600nm). ZnO NPs also showed 50% of inhibition of biofilm formation 25 μg/mL concentration. Microscopic analysis revealed the phenotypical change in the biofilm matrix formation after treating with >25 μg/mL of ZnO NPs. Prodigiosin, a quorum sensing regulated factor of S. marcescens was also inhibited >70% at 100 μg/mL concentration of ZnO NPs. Therefore, the present study shows the efficacy of green fabricated ZnO NPs to inhibit the growth, biofilm, and virulence factor of S. marcescens.

ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECTS OF NANOPARTICLES OF METALS

All-new bactericidal solutions to be used in dentistry, maxillofacial surgery, urology, obstetrics, gynaecology, ENT, proctology have been developed. By means of electric impulse and disperse condensate means, water and alcoholic (ethanolic) colloidal nanodispersed systems of metals have been procured and also their oxides based on: argentum (Ag), titanium dioxide (TiO), ferrous oxide (FeO), tantalum oxide (TaO), vanadium oxide (VO2), cobaltous oxide (CoO), tantalum dioxide TaO2, zink oxide (ZnO), cupric oxide (CuO), a mixed solution of: titanium dioxide (TiO), aluminium oxide (Al2O) and molybdenum dioxide (MoO). The research has been made on culture of dentobacterial plaque and mixed culture, issued from gingival spaces. The composition of culture was identified with S. aureus, S. epidermidis and nonfermentable kinds of E. coli. The observation period lasted more than nineteen days. All solutions showed highly prolonged bactericidal activity in dilutions from the whole solution 1-20 mg/L. Dilution step is tenfold (10-1; 10-2; IO-'; 10-4; 10-5; 10-6; 10-7). The bactericidal activity ofpowder specimen of glass, used to produce dental filling material and disintegrates of composite materials, issued by «StomaDent» CJSC, processed by Ag and FeO2 nanoparticles, have been studied. Tested materials have long, up to 19 days and more, bactericidal activity.

New bactericidal enzyme solution could help the fight against MRSA infection

New bactericidal enzyme solution could help the fight against MRSA infection

Bactericidal Activity and Soap Solution Structure

Bactericidal Activity and Soap Solution Structure

A study on the incidence, microbiological analysis and investigations on the source of infection of postoperative infectious endophthalmitis in a tertiary care ophthalmic hospital: An 8-year study

Background:The objective of the study was the determination of the incidence of culture-proven postoperative endophthalmitis and probable sources of infection.Materials and Methods:It was a prospective study on the microbiology, incidence and probable sources of infection in patients with postoperative infectious endophthalmitis carried out in a tertiary care eye hospital. Consecutive patients diagnosed with postoperative infectious endophthalmitis during the years 2000-2007 were investigated for the causative infective agent and possible sources of infection. The surgical data and microbiological data including the investigations performed to trace the source were recorded in a specific formatted form and were gathered and compiled for analysis.Results:Data of analysis showed that 98 (0.042%) out of 2,31,259 patients who underwent intra-ocular surgery developed infectious endophthalmitis. Among these, 70 (0.053%) occurred after cataract, 10 (0.5%) after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and 18 (0.018%) following other types of intra-ocular surgeries. The predominant infectious agents isolated were bacteria (89.7%), with equal proportions of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Polymicrobial infection was noted in four and fungi in seven patients. Occurrence of postoperative endophthalmitis was sporadic and not related to any specific part of period in a year. Sources of infection were donor corneal rim in six post-PK patients and phaco probe in one who had postphacoemulsification endophthalmitisConclusions:Overall incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis over an 8-year period was quite low. The sources of infection could be established in six post-PK endophthalmitis patients and in a postcataract surgery.

Post-harvest deterioration of sugarcane

Sugarcane is a perishable commodity and must be processed into sugar quickly after it is harvested. Post harvest sucrose losses have been reported from many cane producing countries and linked with low sugar recovery and several problems during sugar processing. Bio deterioration is associated with the inordinate delays between harvest to milling of sugarcane and aggravated by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors causing enormous depreciation in cane tonnage as well as sugar recovery. Besides harvest-to-mill delays, other factors such as ambient temperature, humidity, cane variety, period of storage, activities of invertases, maturity status etc. are responsible for decline in sugar recovery. The activity of invertases and proliferation of acid, ethanol and polysaccharides (dextran) producing microbes play a crucial role in the loss of recoverable sugars in cane and milled juice. In addition to loss in sugar recovery, its adverse affects has been noticed in the sugar manufacturing process and sucrose quality. Efforts have been made to reduce loss in tonnage and sucrose using physico-chemical methods. These include spraying of water, bactericidal solution, use of anti-inversion and anti-bacterial formulations and pre-harvest foliar and soil application of zinc and mangnous compounds. An integrated mill sanitation program and simultaneous use of dextranase could further improve sugar recovery and minimize problems caused by dextran. The possibility of electrolyzed water (EW) fogging to reduce post harvest deterioration in field and mill yard has also been explored. Some of these methods are useful and present larger options for the industry to minimize after-harvest quality losses in the field and milling tandem.

Air‐Bubble Method of Locking Central‐Vein Catheters for Prevention of Hub Colonization: A Pilot Study

The major source of catheter-associated bacteremia is contamination of the catheter hub during connection-disconnection procedures. A new method of catheter locking has been developed wherein anticoagulant is injected first, followed by a 0.1-mL air bubble and 0.9 mL of bactericidal solution. The anticoagulant is then located at the catheter tip and the bactericidal solution is located at the catheter hub. The air bubble prevents mixing of the two solutions. The bactericidal solution was acidified concentrated saline (ACS). The 27% saline solution has a pH of 2.0. ACS was chosen because it is theoretically harmless if injected in the amount used to lock the catheter lumens. The goals of this pilot study were to determine whether the new method of catheter locking is easy to perform with available syringes and whether eventual injection of the experimental solution is well tolerated. Ten patients were randomly assigned, either to heparin lock (5 patients, 62 treatments) or air-bubble method (5 patients, 56 treatments). In the control group, the catheters were locked with heparin, 5000 U/mL. In the experimental group, the catheters were locked with heparin, air bubble, and ACS. Altogether, the lumens were overfilled by 0.2 mL. Compared to the routine method, the experimental method required a 1- to 2-min-longer procedure time. There were no errors in proper sequence of injections into the lumina. There were no episodes of bacteremia related to hub contamination in either group. In the air-bubble group, there was one case of bacteremia associated with purulent drainage from the exit and the same organism in both cultures. In three instances in each group, the locking solution could not be aspirated and was injected without any subjective symptoms or objective signs. We conclude that the air-bubble method of locking central-vein catheters is easy to perform. In three instances of air-bubble and ACS injection, there were no adverse effects. A full-scale prospective randomized study is feasible and warranted.

The Air‐Bubble Method of Locking Central‐Vein Catheters with Acidified, Concentrated Sodium Chloride as a Bactericidal Agent: In Vitro Studies

Soft, cuffed indwelling catheters are used for hemodialysis access and intravenous infusions. The majority of these catheters are removed as a result of infection caused by contamination of the catheter hub during the connection/disconnection procedures. To prevent clot formation in the lumen, these catheters are routinely "locked" with heparin or some other anticoagulant. None of the anticoagulants commonly used as locking solutions demonstrates any significant bactericidal properties. The primary goal of this study was the development of a catheter locking method that retains anticoagulant properties at the catheter tip and bactericidal properties at the catheter hub. The second goal was to find a solution that possesses excellent bactericidal properties but is not detrimental in the event of injection into the patient's blood stream. The bactericidal properties of acidified, concentrated saline (ACS) were compared to concentrated trisodium citrate and to commonly used bactericidal agents such as povidone iodine, sodium hypochlorite, and chlorhexidine. In preliminary studies, the rate of diffusion of solutes was measured in glass tubes. In another set of experiments, the mixing of two solutions (anticoagulant and bactericide) separated by an air bubble ("air-bubble method") was observed in stationary and moving systems. The final series of studies compared the bactericidal properties of ACS to other bactericidal solutions mentioned above. The solutions diffused swiftly in the glass tubes, and by the third day, both solutions were mixed. The air-bubble method prevented mixing in both stationary and moving systems. The bactericidal properties of ACS were superior to all other tested solutions. The proposed method of catheter locking with anticoagulant at the catheter tip and ACS at the catheter hub separated by an air bubble is a promising technique and clinical studies are warranted.

A new sterilization technique with balloon-tube thoracostomy for thoracic empyema.

Failure or prolongation of treatment for refractory thoracic empyema by the current chest-tube drainage technique is often due to sterilization difficulties. Insufficient sterilization prolongs hospitalization, and is often associated with life-threatening complications and/or additional invasive surgical procedures. A new chest-tube sterilization technique aimed at making it less invasive and shortening the therapy is proposed. Following pretreatment for complications including loculation, bronchopleural fistula, or corticated lung, a double-lumen trocar catheter was introduced at the bottom of the empyemic cavity through the lateral chest wall. Then, a Foley balloon urethra-catheter was inserted and attached just inside the anterior chest wall at the top of the cavity for the evacuation of intrathoracic air. After irrigation of the cavity with distilled water once or twice, the cavity was completely filled with a bactericidal solution which was left in place for 30-60 minutes, followed by an antibiotic solution for more than 20 hours. Among the five treated post-lobectomy or pneumonectomy cases, sterilization was obtained after only one treatment in four cases and after two courses in the other. Catheterization duration from the initial treatment was 2-13 days. Neither recurrence nor treatment-related major complications were observed. This balloon-tube thoracostomy technique is simple, minimally invasive and cost-effective, due to shortening of the treatment time with minimal manpower and equipment requirements. It is thus a promising therapeutic approach to thoracic empyema and has the potential for application to other intrathoracic disorders.

Air-bubble Method of Locking Central-vein Catheters: A Pilot Study

The major source of catheter-associated bacteremia is contamination of the catheter hub during connection-disconnection procedures. Between dialyses, the catheter lumens are commonly locked with heparin (H), which does not prevent bacterial growth. Prophylactic use of antibiotics mixed with H reduces bacteremic episodes, but risks the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. A new method of catheter locking has been developed (U.S. Patent 6,423,050), wherein anticoagulant is injected first, followed by 0.1 ml air bubble, and a bactericidal solution. The anticoagulant is then located at the catheter tip, where clotting is a problem, and the bactericidal solution is located at the catheter hub, where bacterial contamination is common. The air bubble prevents mixing of the two solutions. A feasibility study has been conducted using H 5,000 units/ml as the anticoagulant, and acidified (pH = 2.0) concentrated (27%) NaCl (ACS) as the bactericidal solution (Twardowski ZJ and Moore HL. Bactericidal properties of acidified (pH 2.0), concentrated (27%) NaCl (ACS), a potentially useful agent for locking hemodialysis catheters. Hemodial Int. Abstracts, 2003; 7: this issue). Ten patients were randomized, either to H lock (5 patients, 62 treatments) or air-bubble method (5 patients, 56 treatments). In the control group the catheters were locked with H according to the capacity provided by the manufacturer with 0.1 ml overfill. In the experimental group, the catheters were locked with H (amount varied according to catheter fill volume), 0.1 ml air bubble, and 0.9 ml ACS. Altogether, the lumen was overfilled by 0.1 ml. According to calculations, an incidental, rapid injection of 0.1 ml air is harmless and rapid injection of up to 1.5 ml of ACS would not perceptibly affect blood pH and/or osmolality in the superior vena cava. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Missouri. There were no problems with locking of the catheters. There were no episodes of bacteremia in either group, except for one case associated with purulent drainage from the exit and same organism in both cultures. In three instances in each group, the locking solution could not be aspirated and was injected without any subjective symptoms or objective signs. We conclude that the air-bubble method of locking central-vein catheters is safe, and a full-scale prospective randomized study is feasible.

Bactericidal Treatment of Raw Cotton as the Method of Byssinosis Prevention

In early studies, research to control byssinosis focused on methods to reduce the trash in the textile mill environment. Dust control has been effective in reducing the prevalence of byssinosis, but simple reduction in dust levels does not always assure its prevention. Also, bacteria and fungi present in cotton do not in themselves cause byssinosis, but the endotoxins-heat-stable lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes contained in the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria-are responsible for the development of this respiratory disease of workers on cotton, flax, and some other fibers. Experimental work was carried out in cotton fields in different cotton growing countries. Opened cotton capsules were treated by spraying them with bactericidal water solutions of benzododecinium bromide to avoid the growth of bacteria by bacteriostatic effect during transportation and storage and thus to prevent the formation of endotoxins. To simulate transport conditions, treated and nontreated cotton samples were incubated under high air humidity. The endotoxin contents were determined by Limulus amebocyte lysate assay depending on the duration of incubation. In nontreated samples the endotoxin content grew to over 5,000 ng/mg. In comparison, in treated samples the endotoxin content grew extremely slowly. Thus, the bactericidal treating of raw cotton showed high efficiency as a potential method of byssinosis prevention. The irradiation by gamma-rays is also efficient, but it is not realistic in cotton growing areas of developing countries at the present time.

The effect of temperature on bactericidal properties of 10% povidone-iodine solution

Objective: Ten percent povidone-iodine (PVI) is commonly used as a bactericidal solution before amniocentesis is performed. Warming PVI may increase patient comfort; however, the effect of warming on its bactericidal properties is not known. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of warming 10% PVI on its bactericidal properties. Study Design: Room temperature of PVI was 25°C, and temperature in an ultrasonic gel warmer was 32°C. In vitro experiments were conducted in 25°C and 32°C water baths. Nine milliliters of PVI at each temperature was added to 1 mL of bacteria (107 organisms/mL Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species, Escherichia coli, group B Streptococcus). After 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 minutes, 1-mL samples were removed and added to 4 mL of 0.5% sodium thiosulfate (to neutralize the iodine and interrupt bactericidal action). The number of viable organisms was determined by plating 0.1-mL samples on trypticase soy agar plates. Plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours and colony-forming units (CFUs) were counted. For in vivo experiments in 40 volunteers, a 9-cm2 area of the dorsum of each hand was wiped with a sterile cotton swab to obtain a sample of bacteria for culture. The area was then wiped for 15 seconds with PVI at 25°C or 32°C and recultured. The bactericidal properties of PVI at each temperature were compared. The Mann-Whitney U test was used as appropriate, and P <.05 was considered significant. Results: In vitro, PVI was bactericidal against E coli, S aureus, Enterococcus species, and group B Streptococcus within 0.25 minutes at both 25°C and 32°C, with median bacterial growth of 0 CFU/plate for each species of bacteria studied (3 replicates at each temperature). Median bacterial growth from skin was 4 CFU/plate (range, 0 to >100). After hands were wiped with PVI at 25°C and 32°C, median bacterial growth was 0 CFU/plate (range, 0-8) and 0 CFU/plate (range, 0-15), respectively (not significant). Conclusion: PVI is as effective at 32°C as it is at 25°C. Use of PVI at 32°C should be considered to increase patient comfort in procedures performed without the use of anesthetics. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:869-71.)

A novel chemiluminescent method for the determination of salicylic acid in bactericidal solutions.

A new flow-injection procedure has been developed for the determination of salicylic acid based on the enhancement of the chemiluminescence from the cerium(IV)-Tween 20 reaction by salicylic acid in acidic medium. The method is simple, selective and sensitive with a detection limit of 2.5x10(-9) g mL(-1). It is applicable to the determination of salicylic acid in the concentration range of 4.0x10(-9)-1.1x10(-6) g mL(-1). The relative standard deviation (RSD) is 0.85% for 4.0x10(-7) g mL(-1) salicylic acid (n=11). The method has been successfully applied to the determination of salicylic acid in bactericidal solutions. Furthermore, it is suggested that light emission from cerium(IV)-Tween 20 reaction is probably because of the formation of singlet oxygen 1O2* and the emitter is excited oxygen molecular pairs O2(1delta(g))O2(1sigma(g)-).

Tetraphenylborate-Selective Coated Wire Electrode Based on Tetraphenylborate-Alkyltriphenylphosphonium Derivatives

Abstract A coated wire electrode selectively sensitive to tetraphenylborate ion(TPB−) based on an ion-pair complex of TPB− ion with alkylriphenylphosphonium derivatives was prepared with poly(vinyl chloride)-membrane plasticized with o-nitrophenyloctyl ether. The electrodes responded with Nernstian slopes (ca. 58 mV/decade) over a concentration range of 2x10−7-10−2 M. A change in pH did not affect the electrode performance within the range of pH 5.5-12. The electrodes exhibited very good selectivity for TPB− ion against other organic and inorganic anions. The reproducibility, stablity, response time and lifetime of the electrode were studied. The electrode was used to determine benzalkonium and zephiramine in a bactericidal solution with sodium tetraphenylborate as a titrant.

A technique for rearing germfree piglets obtained without surgery.

A relatively simple procedure is described for obtaining germfree piglets which does not involve hysterectomy or hysterotomy. Newborn pigs were delivered into an isolator and their freedom from microbial contamination was ensured by applying bactericidal solutions externally and a combination of antibiotics in solution per os. 40 piglets so derived have been maintained free from detectable micro-organisms, some for up to 140 days. Equipment is described which allowed the long-term holding of these animals so that nutritional balance studies could be completed.

Vaginal cleansing at vacuum aspiration abortion does not reduce the risk of postoperative infection.

Does a thorough vaginal cleansing with bactericidal solutions prior to induced first-trimester vacuum aspiration abortion reduce the frequency of postabortal pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)? To answer this question we compared the frequency of PID in 372 women where a thorough preoperative vaginal cleansing with a bactericidal solution was undertaken at abortion with that in 350 women where the upper part of the vagina was swabbed with a pad moistened with a 0.9% saline solution. A postoperative PID was recorded in 25 (6.7%) of the former women and in 23 (6.6%) of the latter women.

Pharmacokinetics of a new skin wound cleanser

Iodophors are effective germicidal agents that have prolonged antiseptic activity in contaminated wounds. A nontoxic surfactant, Pluronic F-68, has been used to formulate a safe and effective iodophor. The parameters necessary to regulate the activity of the iodophor were studied to develop a potent, yet safe bactericidal solution for use in human subjects. The parameters found to be most important were the pH of the solution and the concentration of sodium iodide. Lowering the pH of iodophors increased their stability and antiseptic activity. The free iodine in iodophor solutions prepared with a low pH is predominantly the highly biocidal diatomic iodine (I 2). The concentration of iodide regulated the equilibrium of the dissolved iodine between its free and complexed form. Increasing the concentration of iodide in the iodophor lowered the amount of free iodine in solution and enhanced the concentration of the complexed iodide. It is the level of free iodine in an iodophor that determines its antiseptic activity. Low levels of free iodine yielded iodophors that had a slow bacterial kill rate but a prolonged duration of action. Manipulation of these variables permitted the generation of iodophors that varied considerably in their kill rates of bacteria and their duration of antibacterial activity. Iodophors tested in this study demonstrated a distinct superiority to noncomplexed iodine solutions (tincture and aqueous iodine solutions) as wound and skin cleansers.

Immediate postnatal decontamination as a means of obtaining axenic animals and human infants.

A technique not involving surgery is described for obtaining axenic (germ-free) newborn animals and human infants by decontamination immediately after birth. Three steps are involved: cleansing ther perineal region of the mother with an iodinated bactericidal solution, washing the newborn with the same solution, and after the newborn has been placed in a sterile isolater, administering a single oral dose of an antibiotic mixture previously determined to be active against the fecal and vaginal flora of the mother. All of the newborn obtained by means of this technique, including 13 piglets, 2 lambs, and 4 human infants, were found to be axenic throughout their stay in the isolators. Four piglets obtained by the same technique, but without adminstration of antibiotic mixture, were found not to be anenic. This technique, as compared with methods of surgical delivery of axenic young, embodies a number of advantages. It is harmless to the mother and to the newborn, it is relatively inexpensive, and it obviates the risk of prematurity involved in elective surgical delivery before term.

Irrigation set for the treatment of burns

A set for wetting burned limbs with bactericidal solutions, using an occlusive dressing, is described. The set is made of polyethylene porous tubing, wound spirally around the burned area, and is connected to a reservoir by a standard infusion set.The spreading of the solution on the burned area is very uniform and therefore controls infection efficiently. The set requires the minimum of attention from the medical staff. It has been used on burned patients with satisfactory results and is now a standard procedure.This paper deals specifically with the technological and physical aspects of the system, and presents a mathematical model for the flow through porous tubing.