Microbial bioburden in both acute and chronic wounds is an important factor in wound healing. Consequently, the reduction of bioburden to host-manageable levels, as well as the elimination of certain virulent forms of wound pathogens (regardless of their number), has become a goal of the wound care professional. A prospective, controlled clinical study using accepted sampling methods was conduc...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to measure the changes in the bacterial bioburden in orthokeratology (OK) lens storage cases using the DNA dot hybridization assay (DHA) after forewarning patients about their bacterial contamination severity. METHODS Thirty-one OK lens wearers were prospectively enrolled in this study. Dot hybridization assay was used for serial measurements of bacterial ...

UNLABELLED Introduction. Silver dressings are widely used in the treatment of chronic wounds to reduce bacterial bioburden. However, little is known about the mechanism of silver ions on the healing process. In this study, a mouse model of wound healing was used to examine the effect of silver dressings in normal and diabetic wounds. METHODS Two 5-mm full-thickness wounds were created on t...

Bioburden encapsulated in spacecraft polymers (such as adhesives and coatings) poses a potential risk to jeopardize scientific exploration of other celestial bodies. This is particularly critical for spacecraft components intended for hard landing. So far, it remained unclear if polymers are indeed a source of microbial contamination. In addition, data with respect to survival of microbes durin...

TO THE EDITOR—How best to evaluate the effect of quaternary ammonium compound–based products after detection of postflood bacterial and fungal air bioburden remains uncertain. Thammasat University Hospital (Thailand) closed after severe black-water flooding in 2011; significant resources and costs were associated with hospital closure, reparations, and tiered reopening of select units [1]. In a...

A radiation sterilization dose (RSD) of 25 kGy is deleterious to bone allografts. This study aimed to establish a lower RSD for bone allografts using method 1 of International Standard Organisation 11137.2:2006. This provides a database to select an RSD corresponding to an allograft's bioburden, given that the bioburden's gamma resistance is equal to or less than the standard. This can be verif...

PURPOSE To develop a PCR gel analysis method for assessing the bacterial bioburden in orthokeratology contact lens (OK) case fluid determined by culture. METHODS A prospective study with the participation of 41 OK wearers (20 girls, 21 boys) was performed. The mean OK-wearing experience was 3.5±1.9 years. PCR was used to assess the bacterial bioburden (colony-forming units per milliliter) of ...

BACKGROUND The ExoMars 2016 mission, consisting of the Trace Gas Orbiter and the Schiaparelli lander, was launched on March 14 2016 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan and reached its destination in October 2016. The Schiaparelli lander was subject to strict requirements for microbial cleanliness according to the obligatory planetary protection policy. To reach the required cleanliness, the ExoMars 2016 ...

OBJECTIVE To determine the typical microbial bioburden (overall bacterial and multidrug-resistant organisms [MDROs]) on high-touch healthcare environmental surfaces after routine or terminal cleaning. DESIGN Prospective 2.5-year microbiological survey of large surface areas (>1,000 cm2). SETTING MDRO contact-precaution rooms from 9 acute-care hospitals and 2 long-term care facilities in 4 state...

Endoscopy-related infections are important contributors to nosocomial infections. Endoscope reprocessing according to standard guidelines ensures high-level disinfection and prevents endoscopy-related infections. Microbiological surveillance may help in monitoring the effectiveness of gastrointestinal endoscope disinfection. The process involves microbial cultures and non-culture methods such a...