Skin Bacterial Counts Research Articles

Rehabilitation of Skin Bacterial Counts to Assess the Short-Term Impact of Ingredients in Topical Applications—Presenting a Culture-Based Viability Score

Our understanding of the interplay between skin microbiota and the skin’s health status is growing. Consequently, the cosmetics industry is increasingly concerned with ensuring that beauty products do not adversely affect this microbiota and skin health. Prior to implementing demanding sequencing-based analyses of skin microbiota, an agile approach is needed to provide a first estimate of the short-term impact of cosmetic ingredients on the viability of skin microbiota. A standardized methodology, including topical applications, swabbing, and bacterial colony-counting, was set up and evaluated. The skin’s bacterial density was longitudinally monitored after repeated applications of two reference compounds: physiological saline, assumed to be neutral, and chlorhexidine, expected to have a perturbing effect. Healthy volunteers were enrolled in six clinical studies, involving application of physiological saline and chlorhexidine to both sides of the neck. Over 7 days, skin swabs were collected at defined time points, and bacterial density was assessed based on a classical colony-counting approach. The longitudinal assessment of skin bacterial density proved highly robust, with a very steady inter-seasonal impact of chlorhexidine on skin bacterial density. This consolidated methodology supported the development of an easy-to-understand viability score that quantifies the intrinsic short-term impact of an ingredient on skin bacterial populations.

Presence of Gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus on the skin of blood donors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Skin bacteria may contaminate blood products but few data are available on sub-Saharan Africa (sSA). We assessed the presence of Gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus on blood donor skin and evaluated skin antisepsis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Among blood donors at the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) and at a rural hospital, the antecubital fossa skin of the non-disinfected arm (not used for blood collection) was swabbed (25cm2 surface) and cultured for total and Gram-negative bacterial counts. Bacteria were identified with MALDI-TOF and tested for antibiotic susceptibility by disk diffusion. For evaluation of the NBTC antisepsis procedure (i.e., ethanol 70%), the culture results of the disinfected arm (used for blood collection) were compared with those of the non-disinfected arm. Median total bacterial counts on 161 studied non-disinfected arms were 1065 Colony-Forming Units (CFU) per 25 cm2 , with 43.8% (70/160) of blood donors growing Gram-negative bacteria and 3.8% (6/159) Staphylococcus aureus (2/6 methicillin-resistant). Non-fermentative Gram-negative rods predominated (74/93 isolates, majority Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp.). Enterobacterales comprised 19/93 isolates (mostly Pantoea spp. and Enterobacter spp.), 5/19 were multidrug-resistant. In only two cases (1.9%, 2/108) the NBTC antisepsis procedure met the acceptance criterion of ≤2CFU/25 cm2 . Skin bacterial counts and species among blood donors in DRC were similar to previously studied Caucasian populations, including cold-tolerating species and bacteria previously described in transfusion reactions. Prevention of contamination (e.g., antisepsis) needs further evaluation and customization to sSA.

Comparative Effect on Skin Bacterial Counts of Surgical Skin Preparations, After Preoperative Showering with Anionic and Cationic Soaps

Comparative Effect on Skin Bacterial Counts of Surgical Skin Preparations, After Preoperative Showering with Anionic and Cationic Soaps

O que usar no preparo cirúrgico da pele: povidona-iodo ou clorexidina?

Objetivo: Discorrer sobre a eficácia do gluconato de clorexidina e do povidona-iodo em soluções aquosas ou alcoólicas na redução de infecçõesdo sítio cirúrgico e na contagem bacteriana da pele, no preparo pré-operatório do paciente. Método: Estudo de reflexão acerca do melhor antisséptico aser usado no preparo cirúrgico da pele. Resultados: Verificou-se que tanto a clorexidina quanto o povidona-iodo são igualmente seguros e efetivos e queos manuais de boas práticas internacionais têm recomendado a sua utilização em soluções alcoólicas. Observou-se uma tendência na indicação da clorexidinaalcoólica e a emergência de estudos que têm avaliado o uso sequencial ou concomitante da clorexidina e do povidona-iodo com resultados favoráveisa essa prática. Conclusão: Há uma tendência mundial mais favorável ao uso da clorexidina alcoólica em detrimento ao povidona-iodo. Contudo,a decisão pelo melhor agente antisséptico deve considerar cada caso clínico, (contra) indicações e situação.

Comparative effect on skin bacterial counts of three surgical skin preparations. Chlorhexidine gluconate 2% v 70% alcohol v a 5th generation SiQuat

Comparative effect on skin bacterial counts of three surgical skin preparations. Chlorhexidine gluconate 2% v 70% alcohol v a 5th generation SiQuat

The Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Wounds Contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Mice: An Experimental Study.

The microorganisms have been usually noted as the major cause of delayed wound healing. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common pathogen causing these infections. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) show ample antibacterial activities. In present study, the effect of AgNPs alone and in combination with tetracycline investigated on inoculated wounds with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice. Twenty mice anesthetized and full-thickness skin wounds created on back of them and the bacterial suspension added to each wound bed. Wound infection assessed using total count of bacterial load and also wound healing monitored, macroscopically. In all groups treatments applied topically in the wound bed: AgNPs, tetracycline, AgNPs along with tetracycline and normal saline in control group. The tetracycline along with AgNPs achieved 100% wound closure on day 12. In the AgNPs group, the percentage of wound contraction has close figures compared to tetracycline and normal saline as 98, 99 and 79 percent, respectively. By day 12, all of the treated groups with AgNPs, tetracycline and AgNPs along with tetracycline showed decreases in surface bacterial concentration compared with control group. Also, significant decrease (P < 0.001) in deep skin bacterial counts in the AgNPs, tetracycline and AgNPs along with tetracycline compared with control group at any time point. Application of AgNPs along with tetracycline is more effective than AgNPs and tetracycline alone to reduce the bacterial load whilst wound macroscopic contraction increased. These findings support use of the AgNPs in combination with antibacterial medicine for the treatment of infectious skin wounds.

Anatomical characteristics of teats and premilking bacterial counts of teat skin swabs of primiparous cows exposed to different types of bedding

Bacterial populations of teat skin are associated with risk of intramammary infection and may be influenced by anatomical characteristics of teats. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations of selected anatomical characteristics of teats with bacterial counts of teat skin of cows exposed to different types of bedding. Primarily primiparous Holstein cows (n = 128) were randomly allocated to 4 pens within a single barn. Each pen contained 1 type of bedding [new sand (NES), recycled sand (RS), deep-bedded manure solids (DBMS), and shallow-bedded manure solids over foam core mattresses (SBMS)]. During a single farm visit udders (n = 112) were scored for hygiene and 1 front (n = 112) and 1 rear teat (n = 111) of each enrolled cow were scored for hyperkeratosis (HK). Teat length, teat barrel diameter, and teat apex diameter were measured and teat skin swabs were systematically collected for microbiological analysis. Linear type evaluation data for udders of each cow were retrieved for each cow. Teat position (front or rear) was associated with occurrence of clinical mastitis during the 12 mo before the farm visit and more cases occurred in front quarters. The proportion of udders that were classified as clean (score 1 or 2) was 68, 82, 54, and 95% for cows housed in pens containing NES, RS, SBMS, and DBMS, respectively. No association was found between HK score and teat position and no association was found between HK score and teat skin bacterial count. Bacterial counts of teat skin swabs from front teats of cows in pens containing RS and SBMS were significantly less than those of rear teats of cows in pens containing DBMS or NES. Teat skin bacterial counts were significantly greater for swabs obtained from teats of cows with udder hygiene scores of 3 and 4 as compared with swabs obtained from cows with cleaner udders. Of all udder conformation traits evaluated, only narrower rear teat placement was positively associated with bacterial counts on teat skin.

The association between bedding material and the bacterial counts of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis and coliform bacteria on teat skin and in teat canals in lactating dairy cattle

Several mastitis-causing pathogens are able to colonize the bovine teat canal. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the treatment of sawdust bedding with a commercial alkaline conditioner and the bacterial counts on teat skin and in the teat canal. The study used a crossover design. Ten lactating Holstein cows that were free of udder infections and mastitis were included in the study. The animals were bedded on either untreated sawdust or sawdust that had been treated with a hydrated lime-based conditioner. Once a day, fresh bedding material was added. After 3 weeks, the bedding material was removed from the cubicles, fresh bedding material was provided, and the cows were rotated between the two bedding material groups. Teat skin and teat canals were sampled using the wet and dry swab technique after weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis, Escherichia coli and other coliform bacteria were detected in the resulting agar plate cultures. The treatment of the bedding material was associated with the teat skin bacterial counts of Str. uberis, Esch. coli and other coliform bacteria. An association was also found between the bedding material and the teat canal bacterial counts of coliform bacteria other than Esch. coli. For Staph. aureus, no associations with the bedding material were found. In general, the addition of a hydrated lime-based conditioner to sawdust reduces the population sizes of environmental pathogens on teat skin and in teat canals.

Comparison of Two Surgical Site Protocols for Cattle in a Field Setting

To compare 2 preoperative surgical site protocols for standing laparotomy in cattle in a field setting. Cohort study. Dairy cows (n = 73) undergoing a clean standing laparotomy (no visceral perforation during surgery). Cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 preoperative skin-preparations protocols with chlorhexidine used as an antiseptic. A standard protocol (3 minutes [min] cleansing scrub, tap water rinse, 3 minutes surgical scrub with a sterile one-use chlorhexidine scrub and alternate passage of alcohol and 2% chlorhexidine solution (7 minutes; n = 32) was compared with a 3 minutes abbreviated preoperative protocol, consisting of two 90 seconds period of cleansing scrub and 3 passages of 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% in isopropyl alcohol solution (4 minutes; n = 32). Pre- and postoperative skin bacterial counts and clinical assessment of wounds 10-15 days after surgery, as well as standardized interview with the producers focused on wound infection 30 days after the surgery were used to compare both protocols. There was no difference between protocols for absolute colony forming units (CFU) and percentage CFU reduction perioperatively as well as for surgical wound clinical score 10-15 days after the surgery. The infection rate at 30 days was 10.5% (6/57) but no significant difference was observed between protocols 10% (3/30) versus 11.5% (3/27). An abbreviated preoperative protocol using nonsterile reusable material can be as effective as a standard protocol using sterile one-use brush in reducing skin microflora and preventing surgical wound infection.

Preslaughter spray-washing effects on physiological stress responses and skin and carcass microbial counts in goats

Preslaughter management procedures that decrease fecal contamination of skins/hides are likely to reduce biological hazards on carcass surfaces during slaughter and processing. This trial was conducted to determine the effects of preslaughter spray-washing on stress responses and skin and carcass bacterial counts in goats. Twenty meat goats were slaughtered in two groups (replicate) on 2 different days (10 goats/replicate). Animals were randomly allotted to treatment (1 min spray-wash) or control (no wash) groups ( n = 5/(treatment replicate)). Blood and skin swab samples were collected from control and treated animals before and after the washing treatment. Bacterial counts on the carcasses immediately after dressing were also recorded. Treatment, sampling time or treatment × sampling time did not affect the plasma cortisol, glucose and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. Skin aerobic plate counts were the same in both treated and control groups prior to washing treatment, but were significantly less in the treated group when sampled after washing (treatment × sampling time, P < 0.05). Aerobic plate counts were 3.6 and 4.4 log 10 CFU/cm 2 in the treated and control groups, respectively. However, skin Escherichia coli counts did not significantly decrease due to spray-washing treatment. Spray-washing treatment also did not influence carcass E. coli or aerobic plate counts. Results indicate that skin bacterial counts can be significantly reduced by preslaughter spray-washing, without increasing stress in goats. Preslaughter spray-washing may be a cost-effective skin decontamination method that can be easily adopted in goat slaughter plants.

Removal of Hair Surrounding the Teat and Associated Bacterial Counts on Teat Skin Surface, in Milk, and Intramammary Infections

The effectiveness of monthly removal of hair surrounding teats on the reduction of teat skin surface bacteria, and the incidence of intramammary infection (IMI), was studied for 10 months in a dairy farm. A split udder design was used where hair was removed on one side, left or right, with the other side serving as a control. Controls and treatment sides were randomly applied in a systematic fashion to 218 cows. Standard milking time pre- and post-milking hygiene practices were applied to all udders during the trial. Collection of teat skin swab solutions preceded aseptic collection of milk samples, performed at monthly intervals, immediately prior to milking. Teat skin bacterial counts did not differ between control and treated teats. Incidences of IMI were similar for treatment when compared with control mammary quarters, as measured by total or by pathogen type. In a second study, the effect of hair removal on the bacterial content of milk was determined using 40 cows. Treatments and allocations were as described. Udder half milk, milk from both mammary quarters of each udder half, was combined and diverted into separate buckets. Buckets were thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between milkings. A portion of bucket milk was collected 24 h after removal of udder hair. The total milk bacterial counts, and counts of psychrotrophs and thermoduric organisms were not reduced by udder hair removal. Results do not suggest that removal of udder hair leads to an improvement in milk quality as determined by milk bacterial content in the herd studied.

The Effect of Application of Aquaphor on Skin Condition, Fluid Requirements, and Bacterial Colonization in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

To determine the effects of repeated application of an occlusive ointment on the skin of very low birth weight infants. Nineteen neonates of 26 to 30 weeks gestational age were randomly assigned to receive topical Aquaphor ointment twice daily for 2 weeks or to receive standard skin care. Skin quality, fluid requirements, and skin bacterial colonization counts were assessed. Infants treated with Aquaphor had significantly improved skin condition scores versus controls (p = 0.002). Aquaphor improved skin scores over time (p = 0.012) in treated infants, whereas skin scores of untreated infants worsened before eventually healing. There were no significant differences in total fluid requirements, urine output, serum sodium concentrations, skin bacterial counts, fungal counts, or colonization patterns between treated and control infants in either gestational age cohort. Aquaphor ointment, used during the first two postnatal weeks, improved skin condition in infants of 26 to 30 weeks' gestation without changing skin bacterial flora. We speculate that improved skin condition may limit transepidermal water loss and decrease portals of entry for pathogens, thereby potentially decreasing fluid and electrolyte imbalances and sepsis in very low birth weight infants.

A Comparison of 5-Minute Povidone-Iodine Scrub and 1-Minute Povidone-iodine Scrub followed by Alcohol Foam

The purpose of this study was to determine if a 1-minute scrub with povidone-iodine followed by alcohol foam is as effective as a 5-minute scrub with povidone-iodine in reducing skin bacterial counts. A 1-minute scrub with povidone-iodine followed by alcohol foam and a 5-minute scrub with povidone-iodine was done. In the first study, cultures were obtained after 1 hour, and in the second study, cultures were obtained after 2 hours. Cultures were obtained by imprinting the first, second, and third fingers on nutrient agar plates. Bacterial counts were then obtained at 24 and 48 hours. The study involved two groups of 12 participants and a total of 37 patients over a period of 5 months. The results show that there was no significant difference between the number of colonies cultured for the 1-minute scrub compared with the 5-minute scrub for either the 1-hour or the 2-hour study. In fact, the total number of bacterial colonies was less after the 1-minute scrub with alcohol foam than after the standard 5-minute scrub in both the 1-hour group (10 vs. 18) and the 2-hour group (18 vs. 44).