Microbiological analysis of sterile and nonsterile gloves before and during root canal treatment procedures

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the microbiological contamination of sterile (SG) and non-sterile (NSG) gloves before and during different stages of endodontic treatment. Methodology: Five brands (n = 10 per brand) of NSG (Supermax, UniGloves, Lemgruber, Nugard and Embramac) and four brands (n = 10 per brand) of SG (Sensitex, Sanro, Mucambo, Madeitex) were analyzed. Microbiological collections were performed at 3 different time-points: immediately after opening the packages (S1); after performing rubber dam placement (S2); and at the end of root canal treatment (S3). In the NSG group, to assess possible contamination by exposure to the clinical environment, samples were also collected within 24 hours (S4) and 7 days (S5) after opening the packages. After smearing the gloves with sterile swabs, the samples were immediately placed in test tubes containing specific BHI culture medium. These samples were incubated for 24 and 48h and the turbidity of the medium was evaluated. For turbid samples, bacterial identification was performed through culture and biochemical tests. Results: At S1, only the NSG UniGloves and Nugard brands showed contamination, while no contamination was observed in the SG. After S2 and S3 all brands showed contamination. In the NSG assessments, 24h after opening the packaging (S4) only the UniGloves brand showed no contamination, but this was not observed after 7 days (S5). The most observed species were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus ssp, Staphylococcus intermedius, Neisseria ssp, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Conclusion: The NSG can be contaminated after opening the packaging and their exposure to the dental office environment can make it contaminated. SG are sterile but can also become contaminated during procedures. In the trans-operative period of root canal treatment, both NSG and SG can be contaminated by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.