OBJECTIVE To determine the integrity of microscope covers and bacterial contamination at the end of lumbar spinal decompressive surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective study of 25 consecutive lumbar spinal decompressions with the use of a surgical microscope was performed. For detection of perforations, the microscope covers were filled with water at the end of surgery and the presence o...

The bacterial eggshell contamination of shell eggs in different commercial housing systems; two conventional cages, one organic aviary system and one barn production, were compared. The total counts of aerobic bacteria and the total counts of Gramnegative bacteria on the shell were used to detect key points where contamination occurred and to study the progress of contamination in the egg handl...

OBJECTIVE To microbiologically evaluate the efficacy of cotton and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape used as spacer materials. METHOD AND MATERIALS Twenty-six extracted human molars were restored using either cotton or PTFE tape as spacers under a standardized provisional restorative material (Cavit). The teeth were incubated for 7 days in a culture of Streptococcus gordonii or in liquid me...

AIM To assess the incidence of anterior chamber bacterial contamination during phacoemulsification surgery using an automated microbial detection system (BacT/Alert). METHODS Sixty-nine eyes of 60 patients who had uneventful phacoemulsification surgery, enrolled in this prospective study. No prophylactic topical or systemic antibiotics were used before surgery. After antisepsis with povidone-...

[no abstract available]

AIM In the light of interest being shown in amniotic membrane grafts for use in ocular surgery, this study aims to identify the bacterial contaminants commonly found on placental membranes from both caesarean and vaginal deliveries. METHODS Samples of placental membrane were taken following both elective caesarean and normal vaginal deliveries. Bacterial contaminants were identified. RESULT...