Use Of Cotton Swabs Research Articles

Methods for virus recovery from environmental surfaces to monitor infectious viral contamination

Accurate quantification of infectious contaminants on environmental surfaces, particularly infectious viruses, is essential for contact transmission risk assessment; however, difficulties in recovering viruses from surfaces using swabs complicates this quantification process. Herein, we identified the factors that significantly affected virus recovery rates and developed an ideal swab method that yielded the highest rate of virus recovery. We comprehensively analyzed the effects of swab type (cotton/polyester), swab water content (wet/dry conditions), surface material, and surface area on the rates of viral RNA and infectious virus recovery.The virus recovery rate was significantly lower than the viral RNA recovery rate (P < 0.01), indicating difficulty in the quantification of infectious viruses. The virus recovery rate was significantly higher under wet conditions than that under dry conditions (P < 0.006), and the virus recovery rate obtained using cotton swabs was significantly higher than that using polyester swabs (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the virus recovery rate had a strong negative correlation (correlation coefficient >0.8) with the target surface area. The maximum surface area where the virus recovery rate was ≥10% (MSA-10%) was identified as the maximum quantifiable area. For influenza virus recovery, MSA-10% on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet, PVC leather, stainless steel, silicone, glass, and polycarbonate surfaces was 66.7, 193, 60.2, 144, 105, and 15.6 cm2, respectively. For feline calicivirus recovery, MSA-10% on PVC sheet, PVC leather, stainless steel, silicone, glass, and polycarbonate surfaces was 210, 111, 2120, 250, 322, and 180 cm2, respectively.The most accurate and ideal method for quantifying infectious viruses on environmental surfaces with the highest recovery rates meets three specifications: “wet conditions,” “the use of cotton swabs,” and “a target surface area of approximately 10 cm2.

Microsurgical Bypass Training Rat Model, Part 1: Technical Nuances of Exposure of the Aorta and Iliac Arteries.

Animal models using rodents are frequently used for practicing microvascular anastomosis-an essential technique in cerebrovascular surgery. However, safely and efficiently exposing rat's target vessels is technically difficult. Such difficulty may lead to excessive hemorrhage and shorten animal survival. This limits the ability to perform multiple anastomoses on a single animal and may increase the overall training time and costs. We report our model for microsurgical bypass training in rodents in 2 consecutive articles. In part 1, we describe the technical nuances for a safe and efficient exposure of the rat abdominal aorta and common iliac arteries (CIAs) for bypass. Over a 2-year period, 50 Sprague-Dawley rats underwent inhalant anesthesia for practicing microvascular anastomosis on the abdominal aorta and CIAs. Lessons learned regarding the technical nuances of vessel exposure were recorded. Several technical nuances were important for avoiding intraoperative bleeding and preventing animal demise while preparing an adequate length of vessels for bypass. The most relevant technical nuances include (1) generous subcutaneous dissection; (2) use of cotton swabs for the blunt dissection of the retroperitoneal fat; (3) combination of sharp and blunt dissection to isolate the aorta and iliac arteries from the accompanying veins; (4) proper control of the posterior branches of the aorta; and (5) efficient division and mobilization of the left renal pedicle. Applying the aforementioned technical nuances enables safe and efficient preparation of the rat abdominal aorta and CIAs for microvascular anastomosis.

The Traumatic Tympanic Membrane Perforation - Aetiology and Therapy

The use of cotton swabs is well known as a cause of a traumatic membrane perforation. More reasons are known. A detailed description of the aetiology and therapy in Germany does not exist. The treatment consist of a readaptation of the perforation an splinting of the tympanic membrane with paper sheets or silicon foils. 238 patients with an acute tympanic membrane perforation were included in this retrospective study. They were treated between 2005 and 2010. The mean causes of a traumatic tympanic membrane perforation were slaps with the open hand (37.4%), the use of a cotton swab (19.3%) and high diving (13.0%). The perforations have been splinted with paper sheets or silicon foils. The rate of complete wound closure after splinting with different materials are comparable (71.9% and 81.8%). The side effects are low. This is the first study about the aetiology of traumatic tympanic membrane perforations in Germany. There is no statistic difference between the 2 materials for tympanic membrane splinting. A traumatic tympanic membrane perforation should be treatet at least to improve the air conduction threshold.

The Utility of HPLC-UV Cleaning Validation for the Determination of Tirofiban Residues

To ensure that residues of Tirofiban will not carry over and cross contaminate the subsequent product, carefully designed cleaning validation techniques should be investigated. The objective of the present study was to validate simple analytical method for verification of residual Tirofiban in equipments used in the production area and to confirm efficiency of cleaning procedure. An assay method for the determination of Tirofiban residues on stainless steel surface is proposed. The cleaning validation procedure for the equipment was done by the use of cotton swabs moistened with the extraction solution 800 ml of water and 1.36 g of Ammonium acetate and then adjusts at pH (6.0 ± 0.05). In this method symmetry C18 5 μm is utilized as the stationary phase in the HPLC column, (250×0.4 mm) at 40°C using acetonitrile- buffer 6 (29-71%) mixture as mobile phase with injected volume 100 μl with flow rate 1.5 ml/min over the concentration range 1.0-2.9 μg/mL were determined at 227 nm using UV spectrophotometer detector. The recover were 107.96, 100 and 88.78% with RSD below 1.5% for the three assayed concentration levels and with average recovery was 98.89%.

Adsorption of allergen protein at surfaces

Cleaning of processing equipment in the food industry and of surfaces in catering and domestic environments is a key issue in prevention of accidental exposure of individuals with food allergy to allergenic foods. Despite this, little systematic work has been carried out understanding adsorption processes and the effectiveness or otherwise of cleaning procedures. The limiting factor in studying allergenic proteins at surfaces is our inability to reliably detect and quantify allergen proteins that may have undergone denaturation, whether through the adsorption process or through other factors such as thermal treatment. Antibody-based methods are notoriously susceptible to changed responses to different forms of the same protein - despite the commercial availability of diagnostic kits for testing 'swabbed' surfaces. We have tried to use a specific ELISA-based assay for ovomucoid alongside a non-specific chemical method for protein detection to study adsorption of the protein to different surfaces (stainless steel, formica and glass). Protein recovery was effected with the use of cotton swabs. Statistical analysis of the data (ANOVA) was carried out to determine the effect of different factors on the efficiency of 'sticking' of the protein at the surfaces. The results (p< 0.05) showed significant effects from some factors but not all. We were also able to compare the effectiveness of the chemical and ELISA methods. This is the first time that a validated immunochemical method and a chemical assay have been used to investigate the behaviour of allergen proteins at surfaces and forms part of a comprehensive study on the behaviour of allergen proteins on different surfaces.

Comparison of two sampling methods for microbiological evaluation of periodontal disease in cats

BackgroundPeriodontal disease in cats is highly prevalent, and its aetiology is associated to bacteria located in the subgingival microbiota, being Porphyromonas sp. the most prevalent genus. The conventional technique to sample the subgingival microbiota is the use of cotton swabs over the mucosa and teeth; however the use of subgingival paper points could improve the bacterial recovery. AimThe objective was to compare two microbial sampling approaches for the evaluation of the periodontal disease-associated microflora in cats. MethodsThe study was designed as a pilot study. Ten cats were clinically evaluated and sampled under sedation. Subgingival pooled samples were collected from four sites. In parallel, samples were obtained with a cotton swab, by striking over the gingival margin and surface of the upper right canine. Samples were cultured on blood agar (aerobic and anaerobic incubation), Dentaid-1 (for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and enterics), and a specific medium for Bartonella henselae. ResultsFor total anaerobic counts, paper point samples (6.59±0.5) demonstrated significantly higher counts (p=0.03) than cotton swab samples (5.54±1.1). Moreover, the use of paper points increased the frequency detection of most pathogens thus reducing false negatives for Porphyromonas gulae (100% with paper points samples and 80% with cotton swab samples). ConclusionsSignificant higher recoveries of anaerobic bacteria and more frequent detection of putative periodontal pathogens was observed when microbiological sampling was performed with paper points, in cats with periodontal disease.

Conhecimento auditivo da população usuária do Sistema Único de Saúde

OBJETIVO: Analisar a percepção, hábitos e conhecimentos auditivos da população usuária do Sistema Único de Saúde das cidades do Vale do Aço. MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo, 255 indivíduos distribuídos por Unidades Básicas de Saúde, na faixa etária de 20 a 60 anos. Foram aplicados questionários com 14 perguntas sobre percepção, hábitos e conhecimentos auditivos. RESULTADOS: Em relação às questões de percepção auditiva, foram obtidos os seguintes resultados: 74,9% escutam bem; 63,1% têm dificuldade em acompanhar conversa; dor de ouvido (54,5%); zumbido (46,7%); plenitude auricular (41,2%). Com relação a hábitos dos entrevistados, constatou-se: utilizar objetos para limpar o ouvido (80,4%); ouvir som alto (31,4%); usar fones de ouvido (7,1%), julgar prejudicial ouvir som alto (84,7%); considerar saudável o uso do cotonete (71%); acreditar na cura da surdez (66,9%). Encontrou-se relação estatisticamente significativa entre percepção auditiva de não ouvir bem e dificuldade em acompanhar conversa (p&lt;0,001); presença de zumbido (p&lt;0,001) e sensação de plenitude auricular (p&lt;0,001). Dos que referiram não escutar bem, 83,8% nunca foram submetidos a exame auditivo nem receberam orientação alguma de profissionais da saúde sobre a audição (p&lt;0,001). CONCLUSÕES: Houve grande prevalência de hábitos auditivos prejudiciais, a percepção auditiva dos usuários foi considerável e a população apresentou pouco conhecimento acerca da audição, o que leva a questionar a efetividade das ações de Saúde Auditiva da Atenção Básica propostas pela Portaria 587/2004.

Aural hygiene and the use of cotton swabs

Aural hygiene and the use of cotton swabs

A swab technique for sialometry. Normal range.

A modification of the swab method for sialometry is described. The individual secretions from the right parotid gland, left parotid gland and both submandibular glands together were collected, by use of cotton swabs after submaximal stimulation by citric acid. Five evaluation parameters and their normal ranges and variances are described from a material of 150 control individuals without sign of salivary gland impairment. The measurement is performed within five minutes, it is simple and convenient both for the patient and the staff. Therefore the method described is well suited for routine clinical use.

The role of temperature and swab materials in the recovery of herpes simplex virus from lesions.

swab was placed in 2 ml of Eagle's minimal essential medium containing a 1%07 mixture of penicillin, streptomycin, amphotericin B, and 207% bovine serum. The specimens were left at room temperature for 15-30 min; two 0.2-ml samples from each specimen were then inoculated into tubes containing human embryonic lung fibroblasts. The remaining medium was divided; half of the medium was refrigerated at 4 C and half was frozen at - 20 C for 48 hr. During the first part of the study, the swabs were retained in the specimens; during the second half of the study, the swabs were removed from the specimens and discarded before storage. After 48 hr the refrigerated and frozen specimens were brought to room temperature, and two 0.2-ml samples from each specimen were inoculated onto human embryonic lung fibroblasts. All of the cultures were incubated at 35-37 C and examined daily for 10 days for CPE. The positive cultures were harvested and typed according to the method of Stewart and Herrmann [1]. The X2 test was used for statistical comparison. * P< 0.001. t P< 0.01. $ P< 0.01. S P< 0.01. II P< 0.01. Summary Swab specimens of lesions from patients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic that were thought to be caused by HSV were cultured to determine whether recovery of HSV was influenced by the use of cotton swabs vs. calcium alginate swabs and by storage of the specimens at refrigerator temperature (4 C) vs. freezer temperature (- 20 C). Adverse effects by both the use of calcium alginate swabs and the storage of specimens at freezing temperatures have been reported for laboratory-prepared stock cultures of HSV [2, 3] but not for clinical specimens. Fifty-one (62.1%) of the 82 patients who were cultured were positive for HSV; 46 isolates were HSV type 2 and five were HSV type 1. There was no difference in the recovery of HSV from cotton or calcium alginate swabs if the samples were inoculated immediately. However, if the samples were stored, the percentage of

COMPARISON OF THE ELUTION AND ADSORPTION OF PICORNAVIRUSES BY COTTON AND CALCIUM ALGINATE WOOL SWABS.

The recovery of picornaviruses by cotton and calcium alginate wool swabs was studied by use of prototype strains of poliovirus 1, echovirus 1, coxsackievirus A9, and rhinovirus 16/60. No significant differences in recovery of viruses by the two types of swabs could be demonstrated. It is suggested that use of cotton swabs in the virus laboratory be continued, since wool swabs may favor the recovery of undesirable bacterial contaminants. Adsorption of viruses by cotton and wool swabs was similar from virus-buffer mixtures at pH 4.0, 7.0, and 8.0 at 24 and 37 C. Elution of virus from cotton and wool swabs was also studied. There was no significant difference in the amount of virus eluted at pH 5.5, 7.1, or 8.4.

Comparison of the Elution and Absorption of Picornaviruses by Cotton and Calcium Alginate Wool Swabs

The recovery of picornaviruses by cotton and calcium alginate wool swabs was studied by use of prototype strains of poliovirus 1, echovirus 1, coxsackievirus A9, and rhinovirus 16/60. No significant differences in recovery of viruses by the two types of swabs could be demonstrated. It is suggested that use of cotton swabs in the virus laboratory be continued, since wool swabs may favor the recovery of undesirable bacterial contaminants. Adsorption of viruses by cotton and wool swabs was similar from virus-buffer mixtures at pH 4.0, 7.0, and 8.0 at 24 and 37 C. Elution of virus from cotton and wool swabs was also studied. There was no significant difference in the amount of virus eluted at pH 5.5, 7.1, or 8.4.