Microbiological Sampling (microbiological + sampling)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Effectiveness of propolis and calcium hydroxide as a short-term intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis: A laboratory study

AUSTRALIAN ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 2 2009
Lama Awawdeh bds
Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of propolis-based intracanal medicament against Enterococcus faecalis using infected dentine models, and to compare its antimicrobial efficacy with that of the non-setting calcium hydroxide paste when used as a short-term medication for 1 and 2 days. A total of 50 dentine discs of 7-mm length was obtained from extracted human teeth. Five dentine discs were kept sterile to serve as a negative control. The remaining 45 were contaminated with E. faecalis and divided into two groups (n = 20) in addition to five discs that served as a positive control. The discs were treated as follow: 20 discs were filled with propolis, while the other 20 discs were filled with non-setting calcium hydroxide. Microbiological sampling was performed utilising sterile paper point, headstrom file and disc immersion. Results showed that propolis was significantly more effective than non-setting calcium hydroxide against E. faecalis after short-term application, which made comparison from this prospect unlevelled. The most effective microbiological sampling technique was abrading the lumen with headstrom file. Propolis is very effective as intracanal medicament in rapidly eliminating E. faecalis ex vivo. [source]


Spondylodiscitis due to Propionibacterium acnes: report of twenty-nine cases and a review of the literature

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 4 2010
I. Uçkay
Clin Microbiol Infect 2010; 16: 353,358 Abstract Propionibacterium acnes is the most frequent anaerobic pathogen found in spondylodiscitis. A documented case required microbiological proof of P. acnes with clinical and radiological confirmation of inflammation in a localized region of the spine. Microbiological samplings were obtained by surgery or aspiration under radiological control. Twelve males and 17 females (median age, 42 years) with spondylodiscitis due to P. acnes were diagnosed within the last 15 years. Three patients were immunosuppressed. All patients reported back pain as the main symptom, and most were afebrile. Three patients had a peripheral neurological deficit, one a motor deficit, and two a sensory deficit attributable to the infection; and six patients had an epidural abscess. The most frequent risk factor was surgery, which was present in the history 28 of 29 (97%) patients. The mean delay between spinal surgery and onset of disease was 34 months, with a wide range of 0,156 months. Osteosynthesis material was present in twenty-two cases (76%). In 24 (83%) patients, additional surgery, such as débridement or spondylodesis, was performed. Previous osteosynthesis material was removed in 17 of the 22 (77%) patients where it was present. Total cure was reported in all patients, except one, after a mean duration of antibiotic therapy of 10.5 weeks (range, 2,28 weeks). In conclusion, spondylodiscitis due to P. acnes is an acute infection closely related to previous surgery. The most prominent clinical feature is pain, whereas fever is rare, and the prognosis is very good. [source]


EFFECTIVENESS OF CHLORINE AND NISIN-EDTA TREATMENTS OF WHOLE MELONS AND FRESH-CUT PIECES FOR REDUCING NATIVE MICROFLORA AND EXTENDING SHELF-LIFE,

JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2002
DIKE O. UKUKU
ABSTRACT Efficacy of nisin-EDTA treatments as a sanitizing treatment for reducing native microflora of whole melons and extending shelf-life of fresh-cut pieces was compared to chlorine treatments. Whole cantaloupe and honeydew melons were washed with water, nisin (10 ,g/mL)-EDTA (0.02 M), or 200 ppm chlorine for 5 min at , 20C before fresh-cut preparation and storage at 5C for 15 days with periodic microbiological sampling. In addition, some fresh-cut pieces were washed with 10 ,g/mL nisin-EDTA or 50 ppm chlorine for 1 min before storage. Changes in appearance, odor, overall acceptability and the shelf-life of the minimally processed fresh-cut melons were investigated. Preliminary studies indicated that water washes, EDTA (0.002 to 0.2 M) or nisin (5 to 10 ,g/mL) were not effective in reducing the microflora of whole melon when used individually. Nisin-EDTA and chlorine treatments were significantly (P < 0.05) more effective in reducing native microflora than water washes. Nisin-EDTA treatments were significantly (P < 0.05) more effective than chlorine in reducing populations of yeast and mold and Pseudomonas spp. on whole melon surfaces but were not as effective as chlorine treatments for reducing aerobic mesophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and total gram-negative bacteria. Microbial contaminants on fresh-cut pieces washed with 50 ppm chlorine or nisin-EDTA were further reduced. However, microbial populations increased throughout refrigerated storage irrespective of treatments. Odor, appearance, and overall acceptability ratings for cantaloupe and honeydew fresh-cut pieces treated with nisin-EDTA or chlorine were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from each other throughout the storage period (15 to 21 days). However, both treatments led to significantly (P < 0.05) improved ratings compared to the controls for the fresh-cut pieces at 9 to 12 days of storage and thereafter. The results of this study suggest that treatments with nisin-EDTA before and after fresh-cut processing would improve the quality and extend the shelf-life of fresh-cut melon. [source]


FECAL COLIFORM CONTAMINATION OF BEEF CARCASSES DURING THE SLAUGHTERING PROCESS

JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2001
SUZAN YALÇIN
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine the fecal coliform counts of beef carcasses during different stages in the slaughter process. A total of nine carcasses were selected at random in the abattoir. The samples were taken by excision from three different sites; rump, brisket and shoulder. The samples were collected from the same carcasses at four different stages of processing; after dressing, after evisceration, after washing and after chilling for 24 h in a chilling room. The processing steps did not increase the fecal coliform counts on the rump samples. There were no significant differences in the samples of rump and shoulder among different processing steps. The contamination level of the brisket after washing was significantly higher than other processing steps. Brisket and shoulder parts are critical points for microbiological sampling as these sites showed higher microbial counts after chilling steps. The data obtained have relevance for the planning of washing methods for the production of clean and safe carcasses. [source]