Traditional Biocidal Replacement Viability of Microcrystalline Silver Chloride

The antimicrobial effects of silver ions and silver chloride nanoparticles have been well established while the efficacy of microcrystalline silver chloride has been less studied. Certex-AM, a microcrystalline silver chloride product produced by Cerion, Rochester, NY, was tested for its antimicrobial properties as a possible replacement for traditional biocidal techniques used in water cooling towers. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the compound was determined using a microtiter broth assay. The compound was found to have inhibitory effects on bacterial growth for all tested organisms at concentrations greater than 9 ppm. Additional testing simulating a water cooling system showed the effectiveness of reducing an established wild population at concentrations of 10 ppm of the microcrystalline silver chloride. Certex-AM was found to be a promising replacement for traditional biocides as well as for other applications. Introduction of effective antimicrobial compounds such as this could reduce the pathogenic risk to humans associated with water cooling towers

Characterization of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated from the Nasal Cavity Flora of Nursing Majors

Approximately 30% of people have the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in their nasal passages. Within this group, approximately 1-2% are colonized with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), although many do not display any symptoms.1 MRSA is an opportunistic pathogen that can potentially cause diseases such as pneumonia, skin infections and sepsis. MRSA infections are commonly grouped into two categories, hospital associated (HA) or community associated (CA) based on where the infection was acquired and the profile of antibiotic resistance. S. aureus and MRSA can spread between individuals through physical contact and presents a serious health hazard to patients if healthcare professionals are carriers. This research focuses on the detection and characterization of S. aureus strains found among a population of healthy nursing majors in multiple sections of a laboratory course at St. John Fisher College. Samples collected from the nasal passages of students were characterized using mannitol salt agar, Gram-staining procedures, blood agar, CHROMagar MRSA II and were subjected to antibiotic resistance testing. Based on the findings of this experiment, it is clear that S. aureus is present in healthy individuals. Results from the spring and fall trials demonstrated that S. aureus was present in 31% and 50% of the sample population respectively. Despite only one strain testing positive for MRSA, many other strains did exhibit antibiotic resistance similar to that of HA-MRSA. Our results reveal a vast array of S. aureus strains present in healthcare workers and support the argument that there needs to be increased awareness and policies to help prevent the transmission of infection to patients

The Isolation and Identification of a Causative Agent of the Feather Disorder Found in African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus)

Beginning in 2006, wild juvenile African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) began to prematurely lose their juvenile feathers without immediate regrowth and were brought to the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) for rehabilitation5. Without immediate regrowth of feathers, energy is shunted away from growth and used for thermoregulation and metabolism. It has previously been hypothesized that potential viral and bacterial infections may be causing this disorder3,4. To test for this, Avian Polyomavirus (APV) nucleic acids, Budrigars Beak and Feather Disease Virus (BFDV) nucleic acids, and any bacterial nucleic acids were attempted to be isolated from the blood of affected penguins. Blood was drawn from affected and non-affected African Penguins at SANCCOB and stored in 70% ethanol. These samples were collected in 2008 and 2010. The samples were shipped to St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY during the winter of 2011. Nucleic acids were then extracted from the blood using a QIAamp Blood DNA Mini. After confirmation of DNA via gel electrophoresis, PCR was performed using 2X OneTaq Megamix, water, and primers specific to the targeted viral and bacterial DNA. Gel electrophoresis was run on the PCR products. If DNA was observed at an expected range, then the PCR product was purified using a QIAquick PCR Purification Kit using the protocol included. The purified samples were sent to ATCG, Inc. for sequencing. The results were analyzed using NCBI BLAST. To date, six sequencing samples have shown the prevalence of APV, BFDV, and/or bacteria in the blood of affected penguins

Student Self-Screening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Nasal Colonization in Hand Hygiene Education

Objective. To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of adding a hand hygiene exercise in self-screening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization to a health care delivery course for first-year pharmacy (P1) students. Design. About one month after students were trained in hand hygiene technique and indications, faculty members demonstrated how to self-screen for MRSA nasal colonization. Students were then asked to screen themselves during the required class time. Aggregated class results were shared and compared to prevalence estimates for the general population and health care providers. Assessment. The 71 students present in class on the day of the self-screening exercise chose to participate. A survey comparing presecreening and postscreening responses indicated incremental improvements in student knowledge and awareness of health care associated infections and motivation to perform hand hygiene. On the written exam, student performance demonstrated improved knowledge compared to previous class years. Conclusion. Self-screening for MRSA nasal colonization in a health care delivery course for P1 students increased students’ motivation to perform hand hygiene techniques and follow indications promulgated by the World Health Organization

Summer Research Enrichment: An Asynchronous, Multi-Disciplinary, Scholarly Publishing Module

At St. John Fisher University, a primarily undergraduate institution in upstate New York, undergraduates in any major can participate in a ten-week intensive Summer Fellows Research Program overseen by the Center for Student Research and Creative Work. Students partner with faculty or staff mentors to dive deep into a disciplinary question or topic, learning the methods for research study along with their mentor. Oftentimes, students drive the question design themselves, further enhancing their experience in this high-impact practice. Throughout the program, students and mentors are supported through stipends, supply funds, professional development and community building sessions, and dissemination opportunities

Characterization of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated from the Nasal Cavity Flora of Nursing Majors

Approximately 30% of people have the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in their nasal passages. Within this group, approximately 1-2% are colonized with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), although many do not display any symptoms.1 MRSA is an opportunistic pathogen that can potentially cause diseases such as pneumonia, skin infections and sepsis. MRSA infections are commonly grouped into two categories, hospital associated (HA) or community associated (CA) based on where the infection was acquired and the profile of antibiotic resistance. S. aureus and MRSA can spread between individuals through physical contact and presents a serious health hazard to patients if healthcare professionals are carriers. This research focuses on the detection and characterization of S. aureus strains found among a population of healthy nursing majors in multiple sections of a laboratory course at St. John Fisher College. Samples collected from the nasal passages of students were characterized using mannitol salt agar, Gram-staining procedures, blood agar, CHROMagar MRSA II and were subjected to antibiotic resistance testing. Based on the findings of this experiment, it is clear that S. aureus is present in healthy individuals. Results from the spring and fall trials demonstrated that S. aureus was present in 31% and 50% of the sample population respectively. Despite only one strain testing positive for MRSA, many other strains did exhibit antibiotic resistance similar to that of HA-MRSA. Our results reveal a vast array of S. aureus strains present in healthcare workers and support the argument that there needs to be increased awareness and policies to help prevent the transmission of infection to patients

Traditional Biocidal Replacement Viability of Microcrystalline Silver Chloride

The antimicrobial effects of silver ions and silver chloride nanoparticles have been well established while the efficacy of microcrystalline silver chloride has been less studied. Certex-AM, a microcrystalline silver chloride product produced by Cerion, Rochester, NY, was tested for its antimicrobial properties as a possible replacement for traditional biocidal techniques used in water cooling towers. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the compound was determined using a microtiter broth assay. The compound was found to have inhibitory effects on bacterial growth for all tested organisms at concentrations greater than 9 ppm. Additional testing simulating a water cooling system showed the effectiveness of reducing an established wild population at concentrations of 10 ppm of the microcrystalline silver chloride. Certex-AM was found to be a promising replacement for traditional biocides as well as for other applications. Introduction of effective antimicrobial compounds such as this could reduce the pathogenic risk to humans associated with water cooling towers

Beyond Learning: Leveraging Undergraduate Research into Marketable Workforce Skills

Learning outcomes can structure and enhance the undergraduate research experience, building skills such as critical thinking/problem solving, communication, and team-work/collaboration. These skills often correspond to what employers desire in their recruitment of recent college graduates: students possess career competencies that result from undergraduate research and prepare them for the workforce. However, students do not necessarily recognize the value of undergraduate research for workforce preparation, recognize how their research experience has prepared them, and/or are unable to fully articulate their preparedness. The authors discuss the value of integrating learning outcomes across the college experience to enhance undergraduate research and career readiness. They detail the implementation of an integrated model within a primarily undergraduate institution and suggest strategies to best leverage undergraduate research for workforce preparation

The Isolation and Identification of a Causative Agent of the Feather Disorder Found in African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus)

Beginning in 2006, wild juvenile African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) began to prematurely lose their juvenile feathers without immediate regrowth and were brought to the South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) for rehabilitation5. Without immediate regrowth of feathers, energy is shunted away from growth and used for thermoregulation and metabolism. It has previously been hypothesized that potential viral and bacterial infections may be causing this disorder3,4. To test for this, Avian Polyomavirus (APV) nucleic acids, Budrigars Beak and Feather Disease Virus (BFDV) nucleic acids, and any bacterial nucleic acids were attempted to be isolated from the blood of affected penguins. Blood was drawn from affected and non-affected African Penguins at SANCCOB and stored in 70% ethanol. These samples were collected in 2008 and 2010. The samples were shipped to St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY during the winter of 2011. Nucleic acids were then extracted from the blood using a QIAamp Blood DNA Mini. After confirmation of DNA via gel electrophoresis, PCR was performed using 2X OneTaq Megamix, water, and primers specific to the targeted viral and bacterial DNA. Gel electrophoresis was run on the PCR products. If DNA was observed at an expected range, then the PCR product was purified using a QIAquick PCR Purification Kit using the protocol included. The purified samples were sent to ATCG, Inc. for sequencing. The results were analyzed using NCBI BLAST. To date, six sequencing samples have shown the prevalence of APV, BFDV, and/or bacteria in the blood of affected penguins

Identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Genes Involved in Virulence and Anaerobic Growth

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen and a significant cause of acute and chronic infections in patients with compromised host defenses. Evidence suggests that within infections P. aeruginosa encounters oxygen limitation and exists in microbial aggregates known as biofilms. However, there is little information that describes genes involved in anaerobic growth of P. aeruginosa and their association with virulence of this pathogen. To identify genes required for anaerobic growth, random transposon (Tn) mutagenesis was used to screen for mutants that demonstrated the inability to grow anaerobically using nitrate as a terminal electron acceptor. Of approximately 35,000 mutants screened, 57 mutants were found to exhibit no growth anaerobically using nitrate. Identification of the genes disrupted by the Tn revealed 24 distinct loci required for anaerobic growth on nitrate, including several genes not previously associated with anaerobic growth of P. aeruginosa. Several of these mutants were capable of growing anaerobically using nitrite and/or arginine, while five mutants were unable to grow anaerobically under any of the conditions tested. Three mutants were markedly attenuated in virulence in the lettuce model of P. aeruginosa infection. These studies have identified novel genes important for anaerobic growth and demonstrate that anaerobic metabolism influences virulence of P. aeruginosa