An accurate, rapid, and inexpensive method was developed for detecting and enumerating bacteria adherent to Foley urinary catheters based on malachite green staining of acridine orange-prestained specimens. This method has proven to be quick and reliable and will find application in quantitative studies of biomaterial-related sepsis.

Reducing the number of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in the National Health Service (NHS) has the potential for large cost savings. This review identifies factors which affect the incidence rate of CAUTI, as well as the need for further studies investigating cost-effectiveness, particularly in the areas of silver alloy catheters and education.

Background Conservative treatment is performed for isolated anterior wall of the maxillary sinus fractures, in many cases when the fracture is clinically not severe and asymptomatic. Despite the absence of symptoms, complications such as sinusitis, rhinitis, and chronic purulent secretion may develop; therefore, successful reduction is required. We attempted to reduce the risk of complications ...

EXAFS can be used to characterise the phase of an amorphous calcified deposit mixed with a crystalline phase which does not contain calcium. In such a mixture, the amorphous phase may not be detectable by X-ray diffraction. This application of EXAFS is illustrated by the characterisation of the calcium phosphate deposited in association with struvite in encrusted urinary catheters.

The activities of carbapenems against Pseudomonas aeruginosa decreased in the presence of siliconized latex urinary catheters (SLUCs). This effect was associated with the loss of OprD. The zinc that eluted from SLUCs is responsible for this phenomenon. We have found that zinc exerts a negative effect on the expression of OprD, the porin responsible for carbapenem entry into P. aeruginosa.

Indwelling intravascular and urinary catheters are essential components of modern medical care. Unfortunately, indwelling devices significantly increase the risk of iatrogenic infection, particularly in an already fragile patient population. Most nosocomial infections in severely ill patients are associated with the very medical devices that provide life-sustaining care (Ihnsook Jeong et al., 2...