Microbiology Education for Visually Impaired Students - Topics of Staphylococcal Infection -

We determined the morphological and immunological properties of encapsulated strains of Staphylococcus isolated from clinical specimens. Capsular polysaccharide antigens extracted from cell surface fractions induced resistance in mice against challenge with the homologous Staphylococcus strain. Hyperimmune rabbit serum prepared using these strains passively protected mice against challenge with only the homologous strain. The protective activity was absorbed with homologous capsular polysaccharide, but not with heterologous organisms, and the nature of the antibody was that of IgM. The capsular vaccine prepared by us was successful in preventing staphylococcal infections. In addition, because of the immunoglobulin treatment, mice were protected from infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. We detected encapsulation in these strains by electron microscopy although no capsules were detected by light microscopy with negative staining. Understanding microbiology is often very challenging for visually impaired students, and there have not been significant improvements in the teaching aids used for educational purposes. However, the morphology of staphylococci can be identified using tactile graphics. Microbiology education is important for visually impaired students who aspire to become medical professionals

Which essential oil is better for hygienic massage practice?

We examined whether it was possible to practice hygienic massage by using six essential oils—eucalyptus, lavender, niaouli, sage, tea tree, and thyme linalol—which in previous studies or anecdotally have been found to have antibacterial effects. First, to determine the inhibitory properties of the six essential oils against 4.80 × 105 colony forming units (CFU) of strain ATCC-25923 of Staphylococcus aureus, we used a disc method to measure the inhibition zones. Niaouli and eucalyptus showed higher growth inhibitory effects. We then examined the results of using these two essential oils in seven different massage sessions. The niaouli and eucalyptus were each diluted to 1%, 3%, or 6% v/v with jojoba oil base, and jojoba oil without any essential oil was used as a control. Bacterial samples were taken from the therapist’s palms and the subject’s skin, and the surviving bacteria were counted. The antibacterial effects were correlated in vitro with the concentration of the essential oil, and massage sessions with niaouli oil were more hygienic than those with eucalyptus oil

Using tea tree oil for hygienic massage practice

Objective: The essential oil tea tree oil (TTO) possesses powerful antibacterial activity and many aromatherapists in Japan use it for preventing infection during foot massage. Thus, whether massage is more hygienic using oil with added TTO was evaluated. Design: Massage sessions were conducted using different oils as lubricant; 3% TTO (TTO diluted to 3% v/v with Jojoba oil base), 6% TTO, 3% lavender oil (LO), 6% LO and Jojoba oil without any essential oil added as control. Samples were taken from the therapist's palms and client's skin, then surviving bacteria were counted. Also, to clarify the growth inhibition effect on bacteria, 4.80×103 colony forming units (CFU) of Staphylococcus aureus was added to the 5 kinds of oils used as lubricants, undiluted TTO, and undiluted LO, and reduction of bacterial survival count measured. Results: Bacterial count on the therapist's palms increased and that on the client's skin decreased after 10-min. and 20-min. massage. Bacterial count was dependent on concentration of essential oils, however this tendency was not special on TTO. Using undiluted TTO and LO in bacterial growth experiments, no multiplication of the organisms was observed, but this effect was not complete using diluted TTO and LO. Conclusion: Undiluted TTO had antibacterial activity against S. aureus in vitro, however, it could not be demonstrated that it was effective to use the oil added TTO as lubricant for the purpose of hygienic massage practice

Survey Conducted on Use of Massage Room at Nguyen Dinh Chieu School for the Blind in Vietnam

A survey was conducted from December 21-23, 2000, and August 6-11, 2001 on the 265 patients who visited the massage room. Most visited the massage room once a week with the aim of relieving fatigue. Satisfaction of massage techniques, massager's behavior and the comfort of visiting the facility in the blind school were mostly high