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UCL Open. Environment 2023The aim of this study is to obtain knowledge about which cultivable bacterial species are present in indoor air in homes, and whether the concentration and diversity of...
The aim of this study is to obtain knowledge about which cultivable bacterial species are present in indoor air in homes, and whether the concentration and diversity of airborne bacteria are associated with different factors. Measurements have been performed for one whole year inside different rooms in five homes and once in 52 homes. Within homes, a room-to-room variation for concentrations of airborne bacteria was found, but an overlap in bacterial species was found across rooms. Eleven species were found very commonly and included: , , , , , and . The concentrations of Gram-negative bacteria in general and the species were significantly associated with the season with the highest concentrations in spring. The concentrations of , and were associated positively with relative humidity (RH), and concentrations of were associated negatively with temperature and air change rate (ACR). concentrations were associated negatively with ACR. Overall, this study identified species which are commonly present in indoor air in homes, and that the concentrations of some species were associated with the factors: season, ACR and RH.
PubMed: 37229345
DOI: 10.14324/111.444/ucloe.000056 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2021Disinfection is a key element in controlling infections. Fogging, also known as fumigation, is one of the most effective chemical disinfection methods. Peracetic acid...
Disinfection is a key element in controlling infections. Fogging, also known as fumigation, is one of the most effective chemical disinfection methods. Peracetic acid (PAA) is a powerful oxidant with bactericidal and fungicidal properties. The aim of this study is to determine the type of bacteria and fungi present in educational institutions and whether disinfection by PAA fumigation in these institutions is also effective and useful, as demonstrated previously in healthcare centers. This study was carried out in five kindergartens and five primary schools in Bialystok, Poland. Three rooms have been selected in each of these educational institutions, and the disinfection was carried out in 30 rooms in total. Fogging with PAA was performed in selected rooms. Before and after disinfection, samples were collected from four surfaces: walls, tables, doors, and chair backs. Most frequently detected microorganisms in schools and kindergartens were ssp. . In addition, ssp. were the most prevalent in kindergartens, whereas was the most prevalent in schools. Comparison of the bacterial flora of schools and kindergartens showed statistically significant differences in the prevalence of bacteria on different surfaces. A significant decrease in the number of colonies after disinfection was observed on all surfaces ( < 0.05). In addition, the calculated effectiveness of disinfection was 99.7% in kindergartens and 99.3% in schools. The results indicate that fogging of PAA is a highly effective method of surface disinfection in kindergartens and schools.
Topics: Acinetobacter; Actinobacteria; Micrococcaceae; Paracoccus; Peracetic Acid; Schools; Staphylococcus
PubMed: 34604154
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.697917 -
Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and... 2021Peritoneal dialysis (PD) peritonitis poses a significant healthcare problem. Most cases are caused by Gram-positive organisms. Newer molecular diagnostic techniques have...
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) peritonitis poses a significant healthcare problem. Most cases are caused by Gram-positive organisms. Newer molecular diagnostic techniques have now enabled identification of previously unrecognized organisms, fully characterizing disease. We present the first case of Paracoccus yeei PD peritonitis reported in the United Kingdom (UK). A 70-year-old woman with chronic renal failure requiring PD presented with abdominal pain and cloudy dialysate. She was systemically well, with a normal white cell count and elevated C-reactive protein at 176. PD fluid was remarkable for 4495 polymorphonuclear leukocytes, 107 monocytes, and 10 red blood cells/cm. No organisms were seen on microscopy. She was diagnosed with PD peritonitis and treated empirically with intraperitoneal vancomycin and oral levofloxacin. After two days, small, nonhemolytic gray-white colonies grew on blood agar. Gram stain of culture showed Gram-negative cocco-bacilli with O-shaped morphology. Phenotypic identification using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (Biomerieux) identified P. yeei (identification probability 99.9%). The isolate was sent to the reference laboratory for confirmation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). At present, there are no European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) clinical breakpoints to guide AST. Proposed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined using broth dilution method interpreted using EUCAST nonspecies-specific PK-PD breakpoints (where available). The isolate was reported as sensitive to quinolones (ciprofloxacin MIC 0.25 mg/L), piperacillin-tazobactam (MIC 2 mg/L), and meropenem (MIC 0.008 mg/L). P. yeei is an aerobic environmental organism found in soil. It has been associated with PD peritonitis in immunosuppressed patients, although this is the first case in the UK. It is possible that true burden of disease is under-represented, and novel molecular techniques have now enabled identification of this previously unknown organism. In this case, her dog could be a potential source, and good hand hygiene may prevent further infections.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dogs; Female; Humans; Paracoccus; Peritoneal Dialysis; Peritonitis; Vancomycin
PubMed: 35229817
DOI: 10.4103/1319-2442.338291 -
Enzyme and Microbial Technology Jan 2020A mediator biosensor based on Paracoccus yeei bacteria for assaying the toxicity of perfumery and cosmetics samples was developed. An approach to selecting an...
A mediator biosensor based on Paracoccus yeei bacteria for assaying the toxicity of perfumery and cosmetics samples was developed. An approach to selecting an electron-transport mediator based on the heterogeneous electron transfer constants for investigated mediators (k) and the mediator-biomaterial interaction constants (k) was proposed. Screening of nine compounds as potential mediators showed a ferrocene mediator immobilized in graphite paste to have the highest efficiency of electron transfer to the graphite-paste electrode (the heterogeneous transfer constant, 0.4 ± 0.1 cm/s) and a high constant of interaction with P. yeei (0.023 ± 0.001 dm/(g·s)). A biosensor for toxicity assessment based on the ferrocene mediator and P. yeei bacteria was formed. The biosensor was tested on samples of four heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd) and two phenols (phenol and p-nitrophenol). Proceeding from the EC index, it was found that the use of the ferrocene mediator made the biosensor more sensitive to investigated toxicants than most analogues described. Toxicity determination of four perfumery and cosmetics samples by the developed biosensor showed prospects of using this system for real-time toxicity monitoring of samples.
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Metals, Heavy; Nitrophenols; Paracoccus; Perfume; Phenols; Toxicity Tests
PubMed: 31731957
DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2019.109435 -
3 Biotech May 2020This work investigated the properties of VKM B-3302 bacteria isolated from activated sludge and immobilized in an N-vinylpyrrolidone-modified poly(vinyl alcohol)...
This work investigated the properties of VKM B-3302 bacteria isolated from activated sludge and immobilized in an N-vinylpyrrolidone-modified poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. The developed hydrogel formed a network structure to enable the entrapment of microbial cells with their viability and biocatalytic properties preserved, which ensured the technological possibility of replicating expendable biosensor receptor elements. A new ratio of the components for the synthesis selected in this work enabled producing a copolymer of an earlier undescribed chemical structure, which can be efficiently used for immobilization of highly sensitive bacteria. A biological oxygen demand (BOD) biosensor with these bacteria and matrix was shown to possess a long-time stability exceeding that described earlier, to have a broad substrate specificity and to exceed approximately tenfold the nearest analogues by its sensitivity and the lower boundary value of 0.05 mg/dm. The biosensor enabled assays of water samples initially attributed to pure samples (the BOD range, 0.05-5.0 mg/dm). BOD assays of water samples from various sources showed the use of the receptor element of this composition to enable the data that closely correlated with the standard method ( = 0.9990).
PubMed: 32346498
DOI: 10.1007/s13205-020-02199-0 -
3 Biotech Jul 2021We have studied immobilization of VKM B-3302 cells in an organosilica sol-gel matrix consisting of tetraethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane and polyvinyl alcohol as a...
We have studied immobilization of VKM B-3302 cells in an organosilica sol-gel matrix consisting of tetraethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane and polyvinyl alcohol as a structure-modifying agent. Optical microscopy showed that higher amounts of methyltriethoxysilane make the solid material structure softer. In addition, formation of structures, probably, with bacterial cells inside was spotted. We have analyzed the catalytic power of the immobilized bacteria and discovered that the material's catalytic potential is the highest at 50% of methyltriethoxysilane. Therefore, this seems to be the best ratio of precursors in a material for bacteria to become effectively encapsulated. Analysis of the material structure by low-temperature nitrogen absorption and scanning electron microscopy revealed that in the given conditions the material got crack-like mesopores and spherical particles of about 25 µm in diameter with immobilized bacterial cells on their surface. The study found that the fabricated organosilica material can effectively protect bacterial cells against UV radiation, pH change, high salinity and high heavy metal ion concentration.
PubMed: 34194914
DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02863-z -
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation May 2022
Topics: Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Endophthalmitis; Eye Infections, Bacterial; Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Paracoccus; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 33216649
DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2020.1836233 -
Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis :... Oct 2021
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ceftriaxone; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Paracoccus; Peritoneal Dialysis; Peritonitis
PubMed: 33135289
DOI: 10.1111/1744-9987.13604 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022Microbial mediator biosensors for surface water toxicity determination make it possible to carry out an early assessment of the environmental object’s quality without...
Microbial mediator biosensors for surface water toxicity determination make it possible to carry out an early assessment of the environmental object’s quality without time-consuming standard procedures based on standard test-organisms, and provide broad opportunities for receptor element modifying depending on the required operational parameters analyzer. Four microorganisms with broad substrate specificity and nine electron acceptors were used to form a receptor system for toxicity assessment. Ferrocene was the most effective mediator according to its high rate constant of interaction with the microorganisms (0.33 ± 0.01 dm3/(g × s) for yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Biosensors were tested on samples containing four heavy metal ions (Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Cd2+), two phenols (phenol and p-nitrophenol), and three natural water samples. The «ferrocene- Escherichia coli» and «ferrocene-Paracoccus yeei, E. coli association» systems showed good operational stability with a relative standard deviation of 6.9 and 7.3% (14 measurements) and a reproducibility of 7 and 5.2% using copper (II) ions as a reference toxicant. Biosensor analysis with these systems was shown to highly correlate with the results of the standard method using Chlorella algae as a test object. Developed biosensors allow for a valuation of the polluted natural water’s impact on the ecosystem via an assessment of the influence on bacteria and yeast in the receptor system. The systems could be used in toxicological monitoring of natural waters.
Topics: Metallocenes; Water; Escherichia coli; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Reproducibility of Results; Chlorella; Ecosystem; Biosensing Techniques; Metals, Heavy; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 36366221
DOI: 10.3390/s22218522 -
Clinical Case Reports May 2021, a Gram-negative coccobacillus, is an emergent opportunistic pathogen. It originates from soil and water. VITEK and MALDI-TOF are used for identification. There are few...
, a Gram-negative coccobacillus, is an emergent opportunistic pathogen. It originates from soil and water. VITEK and MALDI-TOF are used for identification. There are few reports of peritoneal dialysis peritonitis. Its presentation is usually indolent. It can be successfully treated with several antibiotics: β-lactams, aminoglycosides, without removing the catheter.
PubMed: 34026181
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.4176