• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.232-237
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• 2015

The water supplied from dental unit water systems (DUWS) in dentistry may be heavily contaminated with bacteria and thus may be a potential source of infection for both practice staff and patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of heterotrophic bacteria and to confirm the presence of opportunistic pathogens from DUWS in student clinical simulation laboratory of college of dentistry. Water samples were collected from 36 ultrasonic scalers in student clinical simulation laboratory. The levels of heterotrophic bacteria in water samples were quantified by counting colony forming units (CFUs) on R2A agar media. In addition, opportunistic pathogens were detected by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The mean CFUs were 16,095 CFU/ml for water samples and all of water samples exceeded current American Dental Association recommendations of 200 CFU/ml. Pseudomonas species and non-tuberculous Mycobacterium species were detected in the one sample and two samples, respectively, among the 36 water samples by the PCR with specific primers for these bacteria. Our study indicated that DUWS in student clinical simulation laboratory can cause potential infection in students and participants. This study suggested the dental unit water line management and wearing personal protective equipment in student clinical simulation laboratory will be needed to reduce bacterial contamination.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.166-172
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• 2006

Metallo-${\beta}$-lactamase (MBL) can hydrolyze all ${\beta}$-lactams except monobactams and frequently coexists with various antibiotic resistance genes such as aminoglycoside resistance, sulfonamide resistance gene, etc. Therefore, the effective antibiotics against infections by these bacteria are markedly limited or can't even be found. We tried to search in-vitro antimicrobial combinations with synergistic effects for a VIM-2 type MBL producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa, isolated from clinical specimen. On the selection of antibiotic combinations with synergistic effects, we performed a one disk synergy test, modified Pestel's method, in agar without aztreonam (AZT). The bacteriostatic synergistic effects of this tests were scored as $S_1$ (by susceptibility pattern in agar without antibiotics), $S_2$ (by the change of susceptibility in agar with or without antibiotics) and $S_3$ ($S_1$ + $S_2$) and was classified into weak (1 point), moderate (2 points) and strong (3 points) by $S_3$ score. Subsequently, we carried out the time-killing curve for the antibiotic combinations with the strong synergistic bacteriostatic effect. One VIM-2 type MBL producing P. aeruginosa confirmed by the PCR showed all resistance against all ${\beta}$-lactams except AZT, aminoglycoside and ciprofloxacin. In the one disk synergy test, this isolate showed a strong bacteriostatic synergistic effect for the antibiotic combination of AZT and piperacillin-tazobactam (PIP-TZP) or AZT and amikacin (AN). On the time-killing curve after six hours of incubation, the colony forming units (CFUs/mL) of this bacteria in the medium broth with both combination antibiotics were decreased to 1/18.7, 1/17.1 of the least CFUs of each single antibiotics. The triple antibiotic combination therapy including AZT, PIP-TZP and AN was shown to be significantly synergistic after 8 hrs of exposure. In a VIM-2 MBL producing P. aeruginosa with susceptibility for AZT, the triple antibiotic combination therapy including AZT, PIP-TZP and AN may be considered as an alternative antibiotics modality against the infection by some MBL type. But the antimicrobial combination therapy for many more MBL producing isolates is essential to know as soon as possible for the selection of effective treatment against the infection by this bacteria.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.357-364
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• 2013

Bee-vectoring is a new crop protection technology used for suppressing insect pests and diseases in crops by disseminating microbial agents into plants during bee pollination activities. In this study, we conducted bee-vectoring trials in cherry tomato greenhouses by using the bumble bee (Bombus terrestris), a microbial agent (Bacillus subtilis) and a new dispenser, and we measured the delivered quantity of microbial agent. Bacterial colony forming units (CFUs) in bees exiting a dispenser ranged from $9.0{\times}10^5$ to $1.9{\times}10^6$ per bee. At greenhouse trials in the National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS) trials, 3,300 - 8,500 CFUs per flower were counted and 80 - 100% of the flower samples contained detectable concentrations. There was no significant difference in CFU density between microbial replacement intervals (once a week vs twice a week) in the NAAS trials. In a commercial greenhouse trial, 1,800 - 2,400 CFUs per flower were found, and 83 - 93% of the flower samples contained detectable concentrations. CFUs detected in bee-vectored flowers increased by approximately 75 times before bee-vectoring. The mortality of bumble bees in the NAAS trials was, on average, 22% and little negative effects were observed on the bumble bee colonies. The yield difference for cherry tomatoes in the NAAS trials was not significant between treatments. When we select additional microbial agents that can be disseminated using this technology and create a detailed plan based on insect pests and disease incidence, we can apply this technology in greenhouses for growing tomatoes and strawberries in the near future.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2009

Purpose: The aerosol generated by ultrasonic scaler can contain bacteria or virus which can penetrate into body through respiratory systems of dentists, dental hygienist or patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine digluconate as preoperative mouthrinse or lavage for ultrasonic scaler on the reduction of viable organisms in aerosol produced during periodontal treatment using ultrasonic scaler. Methods: 30 patients with moderate chronic periodontitis were included and divided into 3 groups: Control (no preoperative mouthrinse and tap water as lavage), CHG (preoperative mouthrinse with 0.1% chlorhexidine digluconate and tap water as lavage), CHL (no preoperative mouthrinse and 0.1% chlorhexidine digluconate as lavage). Each patient received scaling or subgingival curettage for 30 min. In CHG group, mouthrinse with chlorhexidine digluconate was performed for 1 min. before treatment. Before, during and after scaling or subgingival curettage, air sampling was performed for 7 min. each (1000 L/7 min.) with trypticase-soy agar plate. Agar plates were incubated in $37^{\circ}C$ aerobically. The numbers of colony-forming units (CFU) were counted and compared. Results: The numbers of CFUs of the samples obtained during treatment were $97{\pm}14.0$ in control, $73.1{\pm}14.9$ in CHG group and $44.5{\pm}9.0$ in CHL group. The difference among the 3 groups was determined to be statistically significant (one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's correction, p-value: 0.0003). In contrast, the numbers of CFU of samples obtained before and after treatment were not significantly different among the groups. Conclusions: Chlorhexidine digluconate used as preoperative mouthrinse or lavage for ultrasonic scaler can reduce the microorganisms in aerosol produced during periodontal treatment using ultrasonic scaler. Less number of microorganisms were detected when chlorhexidine was used as lavage for ultrasonic scaler.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.284-294
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• 2006

Statement of problem. Proliferation of Candida albicans is primarily within the plaque on the fitting surface of the denture rather than on the inflamed mucosa. Consequently, the treatment of the denture is equally important as treatment of the tissue. Cleansing and disinfection should be efficiently carried-out as the organisms can penetrate into the voids of the acrylic resin and grow in them, from which they can continue to infect and reinfect bearing tissues. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of photocatalytic reaction to eliminate Candida albicans from acrylic resin denture base, and to investigate the anti-fungal effect with various UVA illumination time. Materials and Methods. The specimens were cured by the conventional method following the manufacturer's instruction using thermal polymerized denture base resin (Vertex RS: Dentimex, Netherlands). $TiO_2$ photocatalyst sol(LT), which is able to be coated at normal temperature, was made from the Ti-alkoxide progenitor. The XRD patterns, TEM images and nitrogen absorption ability of the $TiO_2$ photocatalyst sol(LT) were compared with the commercial $TiO_2$ photocatalyst P-25. The experimental specimens were coated with the mixture of the $TiO_2$ photocatalyst sol(LT) and binder material (silane) using dip-coater, and uncoated resin plates were used as the control group. Crystallinity of $TiO_2$ of the specimen was tested by the XRD. Size, shape and chemical compositions were also analyzed using the FE-SEM/ EDS. The angle and methylene blue degradation efsciency were measured for evaluating the photocatalytic activity of the $TiO_2$ film. Finally, the antifungal activity of the specimen was tested. Candida albicans KCTC 7629(1 ml, initial concentration $10^5$ cells/ ml) were applied to the experiment and control group specimens and subsequently two UVA light source with 10W, 353 nm peak emission were illuminated to the specimens from 15cm above. The extracted $2{\mu}l$ of sample was plated on nutrient agar plate ($Bacto^{TM}$ Brain Heart Infusion; BD, USA) with 10 minute intervals for 120 minute, respectively. It was incubated for 24 hours at $37^{\circ}C$ and the colony forming units (CFUs) were then counted. Results. Compared the characteristics of LT photocatalyst with commercial P-25 photocatalyst, LT were shown higher activity than P-25. The LT coated experimental specimen surface had anatase crystal form, less than 20 nm of particle size and wide specific surface area. To evaluate the photocatalytic activity of specimens, methylene blue degradation reaction were used and about 5% of degradation rate were measured after 2 hours. The average contact angle was less than $20^{\circ}$ indicating that the LT photocatalyst had hydrophilicity. In the antifungal activity test for Candida albicans, 0% survival rate were measured within 30 minute after irradiation of UVA light. Conclusion. From the results reported above, it is concluded that the UVA-LT photocatalytic reaction have an antifungal effect on the denture surface Candida albicans, and so that could be applicable to the clinical use as a cleaning method.