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MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. These antibiotics include methicillin and other more common antibiotics such as oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Staph infections, including MRSA, occur most frequently among persons in hospitals and healthcare facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have weakened immune systems.
The Effects of Salt Concentration and Growth Phase on MRSA Solar and Germicidal Ultraviolet Radiation Resistance
The extensive use of antimicrobial drugs has led to the widespread emergence of resistant bacterial strains. One such organism, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is now found extensively in both healthcare facilities and diverse community settings such as households, correctional facilities, and athletic teams. The importance of ultraviolet radiation as an adjunctive therapy to reduce bioburden and improve wound status in patients has been documented. An in vitro study to assess the effects of different types of ultraviolet radiation on antibiotic-resistant strains was conducted to provide information that will aid in the development of rational UV irradiation medical protocols. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was found to be sensitive to both germicidal (ultraviolet C) and solar (ultraviolet A and B) ultraviolet radiation (ultraviolet C substantially more lethal). For both types of ultraviolet radiation, as the medium concentration of sodium chloride increased, the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus cells exhibited increased sensitivity. It also was shown for both types of ultraviolet radiation that kill curves were comparable for log and stationary phase methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus cells. Photoreactivation was observed for Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO-1 but not for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus when ultraviolet C was applied to log phase cells. The Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO-1 was considerably more sensitive than the Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to ultraviolet C radiation. The experiments reveal that medium composition exerts a substantial effect on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ultraviolet resistance and that this species lacks photoreactivation capacity. This suggests that in a clinical setting, eradication of the bacterium may be achieved at far lower doses of ultraviolet radiation than would be indicated by treatment protocols that do not account for ionic conditions. KEYWORDS: wound in
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Ultraviolet Light C in the Treatment of Chronic Wounds with MRSA: A Case Study
The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is rapidly increasing in healthcare facilities and spreading to the community. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus colonize the skin and open wounds and can interfere with wound healing. Recent studies have shown that ultraviolet light C can kill antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus in both laboratory cultures and animal tissue. This clinical report describes the effects of ultraviolet light C on wound bioburden and closure in three people with chronic ulcers infected with methicillin-resistant S. aureus. In all three patients, ultraviolet light C treatment reduced wound bioburden and facilitated wound healing. Two patients had complete wound closure following 1 week of ultraviolet light C treatment. This case study suggests that ultraviolet light C is a promising adjunctive therapy for chronic wounds containing antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus.
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Effect of Ultraviolet Light C on Bacterial Colonization in Chronic Wounds
Effect of Ultraviolet Light C on Bacterial Colonization in Chronic Wounds Thao P. Thai, BScPT, MSc; David H. Keast, MSc, MD, CCFP; Karen E. Campbell, RN, MScN, NP; M. Gail Woodbury, BScPT, MSc, PhD; and Pamela E. Houghton, BScPT, PhD Ultraviolet light C (light wavelength 200 nm to 290 nm) has been shown to kill cultures of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. To evaluate the ability of ultraviolet light C to reduce the amount and type of bacteria present in chronically infected ulcers, as well as to establish the test-retest reliability of the semi-quantitative swab technique, a prospective, one-group, pre-post treatment study was conducted among patients receiving treatment in several in- and outpatient facilities and nursing homes. Individuals with chronic ulcers exhibiting at least two signs of infection and critically colonized with bacteria (n = 22) received a single 180-second treatment using an ultraviolet light C lamp (wavelength = 254 nm) placed 1 inch from the wound bed. Semi-quantitative swabs taken immediately before and after UVC treatment were used to assess changes in the bacterial bioburden present within the wound bed. Results demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability of the semi-quantitative swab technique used to evaluate the type and amount of bacteria present in chronic wounds (Cohen?s kappa = 0.92). Assessment of wound bioburden using semi-quantitative swabs revealed a statistically significant (P <0.0001) reduction in the relative amount of bacteria following a single treatment of ultraviolet light C. The greatest reduction in semi-quantitative swab scores following ultraviolet light C treatment were observed for wounds colonized with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and wounds colonized with only one species of bacteria. Significant (P <0.05) reductions in the relative amount of bacteria also were observed in 12 ulcers in which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was present. These results confirm previous
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Negative Pressure Wound Therapy to Treat Peri-prosthetic Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection after Incisional Herniorrhaphy. A Case Study and Literature Review
The preferred treatment for incisional hernias occurring post laparotomy involves use of prosthetic mesh. If this mesh becomes infected, it may have to be removed to achieve wound healing. A patient with a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-infected prosthetic mesh received negative pressure wound therapy to help facilitate healing without removing the prosthetic mesh applied to manage his hernia. After almost 4 weeks of treatment, the wound was closed secondarily. The literature contains many case studies about the use of NPWT for a variety of wounds but information about its safety and effectiveness for managing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-infected prosthetic mesh is limited. The results of this case study add to the evidence that controlled clinical studies are warranted. KEYWORDS: MRSA, infection, vacuum-assisted therapy, prosthetic mesh, incisional hernia, laparotomy
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The Effect of an Antimicrobial Drain Sponge Dressing on Specific Bacterial Isolates at Tracheostomy Sites
Patients with tracheostomies frequently experience complications, including bacteremia, sepsis, pneumonia, and multi antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. A prospective, descriptive, randomized, controlled, clinical case series involving seven men and three women was conducted on patients in the neuroscience unit of a long-term rehabilitation hospital during a period of 25 days to compare the use of an nonwoven drain sponge dressing containing an antimicrobial (polyhexamethylene biguanide) to a non-impregnated, nonwoven drain sponge dressing on tracheostomy sites. Specifically, the purpose of the study was to compare the presence of four bacterial pathogens (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) and resident normal skin flora (alpha-hemolytic Streptococci and Staphylococcus epidermidis) at the tracheostomy sites. Culture results for total days of growth showed an absence of pathogens and presence of normal skin flora for 11 study days in patients randomized to the antimicrobial dressing group and an absence of pathogens and presence of normal skin flora for six study days in patients randomized to the control group. The results of this descriptive case series suggest that an antimicrobial drain sponge dressing could be an important adjunct in the control of infections in patients with tracheostomies without compromising normal skin flora. KEYWORDS: tracheostomy, bacteria, controlled descriptive study, infection
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The 20th Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and the Wound Healing Society Meeting April 28 ? May 1, 2007 Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida
This year, more than 390 abstracts were accepted for presentation at the SAWC/WHS in Tampa. Of those, 30 were accepted for oral presentation. The abstracts featured here will be presented during sessions 12, 17, 23, 37, and 59. The accepted poster presentations may be viewed throughout the entire meeting and during the scheduled poster sessions, which will be held Sunday, April 29, 7:00 a.m. ? 8:30 a.m. and Monday, April 30, 7:00 a.m. ? 8:30 a.m. To access the entire SAWC brochure, including session titles, faculty, and abstracts, visit www.sawc.net.
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New Products/Industry News November 2005
New Products/Industry News November 2005 New Products: New Products/Industry News November 2005 - Health clinic implements new therapy treatment program Anodyne Therapy? For more information, visit http://www.anodynetherapy.com. Study indicates super-oxidized water technology reduces microbial load Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. (Petaluma, Calif.) announced results ...
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The Discovery of a Multi-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus Clone in the Hospital and Community Environment in South Western Nigeria
Among clinically significant isolates of coagulase negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus haemolyticus is ranked second after Staphylococcus epidermidis. It has been associated with septicemia in newborns and various infections in persons with compromised host defenses and implanted foreign bodies. The existence of a multi-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus clone was discovered during a study on patients with skin and soft tissue infections at two local health clinics and in a referral hospital in South Western Nigeria. The clonal nature of these strains was determined by antibiotic susceptibility profile and pulsed field gel electrophoresis. This represents the first report of what appears to be a hospital-acquired and transmitted Staphylococcus haemolyticus clone in South Western Nigeria. Careful infection control measures and strain typing are urgently needed to understand species epidemiology and to limit the spread of multi-resistant strains within and beyond healthcare facilities. KEYWORDS: wound infection, multi-resistant S. haemolyticus clone, hospital, community
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Pressure Ulcers and Infection - Understanding Clinical Features
13 * Foul odor is usually caused by Gram-negative bacilli. The nurses practiced palpation, observation, and manipulation methods to assess the wounds. The study results contributed to knowledge of clinical infection assessment in chronic wounds.
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Letters to the Editor
The article’s implications only stimulated more questions. Jenny Hurlow, GNP, CWOCNMemphis, TennReply At times, SSD is misused, allowing low levels of silver to reside in the wound. Although many in vivo silver studies have been conducted,13-24 more are undoubtedly needed.
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