The prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTI) and antibiotic resistance prompts researchers to develop strategies for bacterial containment, such as antiseptic-active textiles. We verified the in vitro antimicrobial effect of innovative Nexus Energy Fiber compared to conventional cotton fabrics. The analytical procedure is performed in accordance with ASTM E-2180-07 document. Tests are realized both against clinical and reference UTI-responsible microorganisms by comparing CFUs declines on the two textiles, at different contact times (0, 6, 24, 48 hours) and at different distances between the fabrics and the microbial strains (0, 0.5-1 cm). Results show that Nexus Energy Fiber has a measurable bactericidal effect which depends on the distances and is directly proportional to the contact time on most of the tested microbial strains. IntroductionThe prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTI) and the problem of antibiotic resistance prompt researchers to develop innovative strategies for bacterial containment. The usage of textiles with intrinsic antiseptic properties can be an interesting solution to obtain containment of colonizing microorganisms (2). The innovative fabric Nexus Energy Fiber® (NEF), Italy shows excellent static-eliminating properties due to its far infrared radiation physical activity added to the presence of silver compounds (3). Purpose of this study is to verify whether NEF has an in vitro antimicrobial effect compared to conventional pure cotton fabrics. Type of the studyOn top, its antimicrobial activity is evaluated on microorganisms responsible for UTI: particularly, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis and S. saprophyticus isolated from urine cultures of hospitalized patients. The reference microorganisms belong instead to the ATTC collection: S.aureus ATCC 6538 and K. pneumoniae ATCC 4352. All the analysis are performed in triplicate in accordance with the document ASTM E-2180-07 Determining the activity of antimicrobial agents incorporated into polymeric or hydrophobic materials (1). Specifically, the test took place in two rounds. Round 1 (direct contact conditions) involved the evaluation of the antimicrobial response when the fabric is at direct contact with microbial cultures in exponential growth phase. A slurry agar was used (4). If any antimicrobial effect is measured, round 2 (remote conditions) was performed: the fabrics were placed 0.5-1 cm away from the microbial culture. For both tests, positive and negative control references were set up to demonstrate media reliability and to exclude possible contaminations. The antimicrobial response was tested at different contact times: 0, 6, 24 and 48 hours.The bactericidal effect was estimated by comparing the different decline in the CFUs on pure cotton and on NEF. Antimicrobial effect percentages of NEF versus conventional pure cotton were calculated as indicated in paragraph 9 of the ASTM E-2180-07 (1).Results are reported in Tables 1 and 2. Direct contact tests proved that NEF has no antimicrobial effect against wild strains ...

SummaryCryptococcosis is a life-threatening infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii. Tests for quick detection of the cryptococcal antigen are needed. This study compares the performance of a lateral flow assay (LFA) to the latex agglutination method. Thirty-five cryopreserved positive samples (sera and cerebrospinal fluids) plus three negative sera for control have been examined. LFA does not need high-temperature incubation or enzyme pre-treatment. All the results, except for one serum, agree with previous obtained with latex agglutination method. LFA has an important clinical utility for its rapidity and sensitivity, and it also can be used as a point-of-care test.

Background and aims. Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are an increasingly important issue, for this reason disinfection and antisepsis practices acquire importance. The use of products with antiseptic activity and reports of resistance to these molecules, pose the need to test, in the local area, the sensitivity pattern. The aim of this study is to verify the ability of the analytical system Alfred 60AST (Alifax Spa Isola dell’Abbà, Polverara - PD - Italy) in evaluating the antimicrobial effectiveness in vitro of different molecules in comparison to the membrane filtration reference method, in accordance with the procedure NF T72- 152 proposed by the Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR). Materials and Methods. We used four antiseptic-disinfectant substances, commonly used in hospital practic: Iodopovidone, Ethanol, Chlorhexidine and DECS. ATCC strains were assessed both with clinical isolates. The eventual development occurs by means of microbial ALFRED AST60 was carried out in progressive times (30, 60 and 120 minutes) with different dilutions for each of the disinfectant molecules tested. Results and Conclusions. Comparison tests carried out between membrane filtration method and instrumentation Alfred 60AST gave results almost totally concordant. The analyzer Alfred 60AST can then be appropriately adapted to the in vitro evaluation of antiseptics, representing a valuable aid in the periodic monitoring of their activities and the prior assessment of sensitivity for therapeutic use. Though preliminary, the study confirms the existence of bacteria resistant to alcohols and biguanides, and it emphasizes the opportunity to verify the in vitro sensitivity profile.

Mucormycoses can be treated with the combination of Amphotericin B and Isavuconazole. This study evaluates the effects of these drugs in vitro against 59 strains representing 12 Mucorales. In vitro testing of the two drugs together and alone was performed using the MIC Test strip “Epsilon test synergy-method” (ETSM), which is more standard in clinical practice than microbroth dilution testing. Amphotericin B and Isavuconazole have synergistic/additive effects against L. corymbifera, R. arrhizus and M. circinelloides. Different effects have been shown for other Mucorales. ETSM can help the clinical management of mucormycosis from a practical point of view, due to its feasibility in the laboratory.

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