Bacterial growth and recovery on hospital biometric devices: effect of two types of disinfectants

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of bacterial contamination on biometric identification devices in a public hospital; identify the species of bacteria implicated in the contamination and assess bacterial recovery after the use of 2 types of disinfectants: alcohol 70% and isopropyl alcohol chlorhexidine. Design: Before and after trial. Setting: Public hospital, tertiary referral center. Participants: All existing biometric identification devices in the hospital (n = 20). Methods: Collection of 2 microbiological samples from the fingerprint reading surface of biometric devices immediately before and after applying the solution with alcohol 70% and in separate time periods with isopropyl alcohol chlorhexidine. Results: It have been identified 21 different bacterial species in a total of 78 samples, mostly Staphylococcus epidermidis (32 samples) and S aureus (7 samples). S epidermidis was eliminated in 61.5% of the samples after disinfecting with alcohol 70% and in 92.3% of the samples disinfected with isopropyl alcohol chlorhexidine. S aureus was eliminated in 33.3% and 100% of the samples, respectively. We found no bacterial growth in 10% of the devices after disinfection with 70% alcohol and in 78.9% of devices after disinfection with isopropyl alcohol chlorhexidine. We also found that there was a decrease in the frequency of species isolated after using both disinfection solutions, although isopropyl alcohol chlorhexidine appeared to be more effective. Conclusions: The biometric identification devices used in this hospital seem to be safe regardless of the products used for its cleaning. The majority of the bacteria found are commensal skin microorganisms. We did not find pathogenic bacteria for immunocompetent individuals, in particular methicillin-resistant S aureus

Enrichment of sulphate-reducers and depletion of butyrate-producers may be hyperglycaemia signatures in the diabetic oral microbiome

Objectives This study aimed to investigate oral microbial signatures associated with hyperglycaemia, by correlating the oral microbiome with three glycaemic markers. Potential association between clinical parameters and oral bacterial taxa that could be modulating the hyperglycaemic microbiome was also explored. Methods Twenty-three individuals diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) and presenting periodontitis were included, as well as 25 systemically and periodontally healthy ones. Fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, salivary glucose, periodontitis classification, caries experience and activity and salivary pH were evaluated. The V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified from total salivary DNA, and amplicons were sequenced (Illumina MiSeq). Results Hyperglycaemia was correlated with proportions of Treponema, Desulfobulbus, Phocaiecola and Saccharimonadaceae. Desulfobulbus was ubiquitous and the most enriched organism in T2D individuals (log2FC = 4). The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was higher at alkali salivary pH than acidic pH. In the network analysis, Desulfobulbus was clustered in a negative association with caries-associated and butyrate-producing bacteria. Conclusion The salivary microbiome is shaped by systemic hyperglycaemia, as well as changes in the salivary pH, which may be linked to local hyperglycaemia. The enrichment of predictive biomarkers of gut dysbiosis in the salivary microbiome can reflect its capacity for impairment of hyperglycaemia

Oral lichen planus: A retrospective study of 110 Brazilian patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by multiple clinical presentations and a relatively high prevalence in the population. This retrospective patient record study investigated the profile of OLP in a group of Brazilian patients seen between 1989 and 2009.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The clinical records were analyzed and data such as gender, age, race, clinical presentation of OLP, site affected, presence of symptoms and extraoral manifestations of the disease, smoking habit, and consumption of alcoholic beverages were obtained. Among the 1822 records of patients with oral mucosal lesions, OLP was identified in 6.03%. Of these, 76.36% were females, with a mean age of 54 years, and 85% were whites. The reticular form was the most frequent (81.81%). Extraoral lesions were observed in 32.72% of the patients and painful symptoms were reported by 50.90%. The cheek mucosa was the site most affected (92.72%) and multiple oral lesions were observed in 77.27% of the patients. Among patients with OLP, 18.18% reported a smoking habit and 29.09% the consumption of alcoholic beverages.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This retrospective study showed a relatively high prevalence of OLP in the population studied, with a predominance of the disease among middle-aged white women and bilateral involvement of the cheek mucosa. Reticular lesions were the most frequent, followed by the erosive form which is mainly associated with painful symptoms. No relationship with tobacco or alcohol consumption was observed.</p

Effects of external nutrient sources and extreme weather events on the nutrient budget of a Southern European coastal lagoon

The seasonal and annual nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) budgets of the mesotidal Ria Formosa lagoon, southern Portugal, were estimated to reveal the main inputs and outputs, the seasonal patterns, and how they may influence the ecological functioning of the system. The effects of extreme weather events such as long-lasting strong winds causing upwelling and strong rainfall were assessed. External nutrient inputs were quantified; ocean exchange was assessed in 24-h sampling campaigns, and final calculations were made using a hydrodynamic model of the lagoon. Rain and stream inputs were the main freshwater sources to the lagoon. However, wastewater treatment plant and groundwater discharges dominated nutrient input, together accounting for 98, 96, and 88 % of total C, N, and P input, respectively. Organic matter and nutrients were continuously exported to the ocean. This pattern was reversed following extreme events, such as strong winds in early summer that caused upwelling and after a period of heavy rainfall in late autumn. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that ammonium and organic N and C exchange were positively associated with temperature as opposed to pH and nitrate. These variables reflected mostly the benthic lagoon metabolism, whereas particulate P exchange was correlated to Chl a, indicating that this was more related to phytoplankton dynamics. The increase of stochastic events, as expected in climate change scenarios, may have strong effects on the ecological functioning of coastal lagoons, altering the C and nutrient budgets.Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) [POCI/MAR/58427/2004, PPCDT/MAR/58427/2004]; Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT