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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the rate of bacterial infections in COVID-19-hospitalized patients and to analyze the most prevalent germs, sources, risk factors, and its impact on in-hospital mortality. METHODS: This observational retrospective study was conducted on 672 patients hospitalized between April and August 2020 in Nossa Senhora da Conceição Hospital, a public hospital located in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The inclusion criterion was adult patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19. Data were collected through chart review. Risk factors for bacterial infection and mortality were analyzed using both univariate and multivariate robust Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Bacterial coinfection was observed in 22.2% of patients. Risk factors for bacterial infections were dementia (RR=2.06 (1.18-3.60); p=0.011), cerebrovascular disease (RR=1.75 (1.15-2.67); p=0.009), active cancer (RR=1.52 (1.082-2.15); p=0.01), need for noninvasive ventilation (RR=2.320 (1.740-3.094); p<0.01), invasive mechanical ventilation (RR=4.63 (2.24-9.56); p<0.01), and renal replacement therapy (RR=1.68 (1.26-2.25); p<0.01). In the adjusted model, bacterial infections were not associated with mortality (0.96 (0.75-1.24); p=0.79). The most common source of infection was due to respiratory, blood, and central venous catheters, with 69 (29.36%), 61 (25.96%), and 59 (25.11%) positive cultures, respectively. CONCLUSION: We observed a high rate of bacterial infections in COVID-19-hospitalized patients, most commonly of respiratory source. Neurologic and oncologic morbidities and need for ventilation and renal replacement therapy was associated with risk factors for bacterial infections. Nevertheless, an association between bacterial infections and hospital mortality was not established.

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa en una bacteria Gram negativa no fermentadora que produce diversos tipos de infecciones severas en inmunocompetentes e inmunodeprimidos. Una de estas infecciones es la otitis externa maligna, la cual se presenta principalmente en personas con diabetes mellitus y puede tener una evolución tórpida cursando con osteomielitis de base de cráneo y parálisis de nervios craneales. El tratamiento es individualizado y principalmente conservador con antibioticoterapia guiada por cultivo. La bacteria aislada en la mayoría de los casos reportados es sensible a los antibióticos anti-pseudomónicos. Reportamos un caso de presentación inusual de otitis externa maligna por Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistente a carbapenémicos con evidencia sugerente de compromiso bilateral y en el cual se aisló al mismo germen en urocultivo y hemocultivos, lo que indicaría una diseminación hematógena del microorganismo.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a non-fermenting Gram-negative bacterium that produces several types of severe infections in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. One of these infections is malignant otitis externa, which occurs mainly in people with diabetes mellitus and can have a torpid evolution coursing with osteomyelitis of skull base and cranial nerve palsies. Treatment is individualized and mainly conservative with culture-guided antibiotic therapy, with isolated pseudomonas being sensitive to anti-pseudomonal antibiotics in the majority of reported cases. We report a case of unusual presentation of malignant otitis externa caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to carbapenems with suggestive evidence of bilateral involvement and in which the same germ was isolated in urine and blood cultures, which would indicate hematogenous dissemination of the microorganism.

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Purpose: To evaluate a biofilm model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in excisional cutaneous wound in mice. Methods: Preclinical, translational study conducted with 64 C57BL/6 mice randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Evaluation was on days D0, D3, D5, D7 and D10 of wound making. The profile of biofilm formation and induction was evaluated using wound closure kinetics, quantitative culture, and evaluation of wounds using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Clinical evaluation was performed by liver tissue culture, weight variation, and quantification of leukocytes in peripheral blood. Analyses were performed with GraphPad Prism software. Results: Bacterial load for induction of infection with P. aeruginosa and survival of animals was 104 UFC·mL-1. In D5 (p < 0.0001) and D7 (p < 0.01), animals in the intervention group showed a delay in the healing process and had their wounds covered by necrotic tissue until D10. Statistical differences were observed in wound cultures and weight at D5 and D7 (p < 0.01). Liver cultures and leukocyte quantification showed no statistical differences. No bacteria in planktonic or biofilm form were identified by TEM. Conclusions: The findings raise questions about the understanding of the ease of formation and high occurrence of biofilm in chronic wounds.

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Background: transcartilaginous perforations have become a prominent practice among adolescents and young adults in recent years,which are associated with an increased risk of complications since it is frequently performed without sterile technique and by unqualified individuals. The transgression of the integrity of the skin and cartilage of the ear favors infections such as cellulitis, chondritis, perichondritis or abscesses that can cause serious deformities. Methods: we present a clinical case compatible with a perichondritis secondary to ear perforations with three abscesses. Results: the three abscesses were drained with sterile technique and successfully managed with outpatient antibiotic treatment. In relation to the pathophysiology, the trauma in the auditory pavilion produces the extraction of the adjacent perichondrium, causing devascularization of the cartilage and microfractures, which together with the transgression of the skin, increase the susceptibility to infection. In addition, subpericardial bleeding and inflammatory reaction decrease the blood supply, which limits the immune response and the effectiveness of antibiotics. In some cases, incision and drainage are required. The signs of perichondritis include pain, swelling, and erythema of the skin. Clinically, perichondritis can be differentiated from cellulitis of the pinna, in that the first usually does not involve the earlobe. The fluctuating swelling leads us to an abscess. Conclusions: the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics should be immediately administered and include coverage for Pseudomonas aeruginosa since it is responsible for the majority of post-perforation cartilage infections (up to 95 percent of cases). Due to the increase of post-perforation infectious complications, all physicians should be familiar with its diagnosis and treatment.(AU)

Antecedentes: las perforaciones transcartilaginosas se han convertido en una práctica destacada entre adolescentes y adultos jóvenes en los últimos años, que están asociados con un mayor riesgo de complicaciones, ya que se realiza con frecuencia sin técnica estéril y sin calificación individuos. La transgresión de la integridad de la piel y el cartílago del oído favorece infecciones como la celulitis, la condritis, la pericondritis o los abscesos que pueden causar graves deformidades. Métodos: presentamos un caso clínico compatible con una pericondritis secundaria a las perforaciones del oído con tres abscesos. Resultados: los tres abscesos se drenaron con técnica estéril y se manejaron con éxito con tratamiento antibiótico ambulatorio. En relación con la fisiopatología, el trauma en el pabellón auditivo produce la extracción. del pericondrio adyacente, causando la desvascularización del cartílago y las microfracturas, que junto con la transgresión de la piel, aumenta la susceptibilidad a la infección. Además, el sangrado subpericárdico y la reacción inflamatoria disminuyen la sangre. suministro, lo que limita la respuesta inmune y la efectividad de los antibióticos. En algunos casos, se requiere incisión y drenaje. los Los signos de pericondritis incluyen dolor, hinchazón y eritema de la piel. Clínicamente, la pericondritis puede diferenciarse de la celulitis de el pinna, ya que el primero generalmente no involucra el lóbulo de la oreja. La hinchazón fluctuante nos lleva a un absceso. Conclusiones: la administración de antibióticos de amplio espectro debe administrarse inmediatamente e incluir cobertura para Pseudomonas aeruginosa desde Es responsable de la mayoría de las infecciones de cartílago posteriores a la perforación (hasta el 95 por ciento de los casos). Debido al aumento de post-perforación complicaciones infecciosas, todos los médicos deben estar familiarizados con su diagnóstico y tratamiento...(AU)

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Resumen Introducción: La infección crónica por Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) es frecuente en pacientes con bronquiectasias (BQ) y representa un quiebre en la historia natural de la enfermedad, asociándose a mal pronóstico y mayor severidad. Objetivo: Caracterizar la población portadora de BQ no fibrosis quística (BQ no-FQ) del Instituto Nacional del Tórax (INT) infectados crónicamente con PA comparándolos con pacientes que mantienen cultivos de expectoración negativos para este germen. Metodología: Revisión retrospectiva de fichas clínicas de pacientes portadores de BQ del INT entre julio de 2007 y abril de 2017. Se caracterizó la población y se comparó score de FACED y otros índices de gravedad. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 55 ± 17,3 años, 81% de los pacientes fue de género femenino. De acuerdo a aislamiento de Pseudomonas en cultivo esputo se clasificaron como infectados crónicamente (BQ con PA; n = 61) y no infectados con PA (BQ sin PA; n = 59). No hubo diferencias entre los grupos en edad y sexo. El VEF1 fue más bajo en el grupo con PA los que tienen más hospitalizaciones. Se calculó el índice de riesgo FACED siendo mayor en los pacientes colonizados. La etiología más frecuente es la postinfecciosa, principalmente secuelas de TBC, con 30,8% de etiología no identificada. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con bronquiectasias con infección crónica por Pseudomonas aeruginosa tienen una enfermedad más severa, con VEF1 más bajo, y con mayor índice de severidad de FACED. Destaca en nuestro grupo la etiología postinfecciosa.

Introduction: Chronic airways infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a common situation in patients with Bronchiectasis (BQ) and constitutes a breakdown in the natural history of the latter. Moreover, BQ is also associated with a poor prognosis and an increased severity of the disease. Objective: To describe the characteristics of the population diagnosed with non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis (non-CFB) who are chronically infected with PA, and to perform a comparison with patients with negative sputum cultures. Methodology: We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical files of patients diagnosed with non-CFB who were attended at the 'Instituto Nacional del Tórax' (Chile) between July 2007 and April 2017. The characteristics of the population were described and the FACED scores and other severity indexes were compared. Results: The average age of patients was 55 ± 17.3 years-old, and 81% of them were female. According to PA isolation in sputum culture, they were classified as "chronically infected" (non-CFB with PA, n = 61) and "not infected with PA" (non-CFB without PA, n = 59). There were no differences in age and gender between the two groups. On the other hand, FEV1 was lower in the non-CFB PA group. The calculated FACED score was higher in colonized patients. The most frequent etiology was post-infectious, mainly TB sequels, with a 30.8% unidentified etiology. Conclusions: Patients with bronchiectasis chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa show increases in the severity of the disease, with a lower FEV1 and a higher FACED score. The postinfectious etiology is highlighted in our group.

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Abstract: Ecthyma gangrenosum is a rare skin infection classically associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We performed a retrospective study of all cases diagnosed with ecthyma gangrenosum from 2004-2010 in a university hospital in Mexico (8 cases, 5 female patients and 3 male patients, ages between 4 months and 2 years). The most common risk factor for ecthyma gangrenosum is neutropenia in immunocompromised patients. In previously healthy patients, immunological evaluation is important to rule out underlying immunodeficiency. Ecthyma gangrenosum in healthy patients has a high mortality rate and early diagnosis and aggressive antibiotic treatment is imperative as it can improve patients' prognosis.

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Abstract This report describes the usefulness of dermoscopy as a supportive diagnostic tool in a pseudomonas folliculitis case.

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Quorum sensing (QS) coordinates the expression of multiple virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa; hence its inhibition has been postulated as a new alternative to treat its infections. In particular, QS interference approaches claim that they attenuate bacterial virulence without directly decreasing bacterial growth and suggest that in vivo the immune system would control the infections. Moreover, since in vitro experiments performed in rich medium demonstrate that interfering with QS decreases the production of virulence factors without affecting bacterial growth it was assumed than in vivo therapies will minimize the selection of resistant strains. Therefore, the underlying assumptions toward an effective implementation of a successful Quorum sensing interference (QSI) therapy for treating P. aeruginosa infections are that (i) QS only exerts important effects in the regulation of virulence genes but it does not affect metabolic processes linked to growth, (ii) the expression of virulence factors is only positively regulated by QS, (iii) inhibition of virulence factors in vivo do not affect bacterial growth, (iv) the immune system of the infected patients will be able to get rid of the infections, and (v) the therapy will be effective in the strains that are actively producing the infections. Nevertheless, for QSI in P. aeruginosa, substantial experimental evidence against the validity of most of these assumptions has accumulated during the past years, suggesting that a far better understanding of its virulence and its behavior during infections is needed in order to design truly solid QSI therapeutic alternatives to combat this remarkable pathogen.

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Justificativa e Objetivo: Infecções de corrente sanguínea causadas por Pseudomonas aeruginosa apresentam significantes taxas de morbidade, mortalidade e custos hospitalares. A terapia empírica adequada impacta significativamente na mortalidade, porém, a escolha do antibiótico empírico apropriado contra uma infecção causada por P. aeruginosa é um desafio para os clínicos devido a resistência à diversos antimicrobianos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a adequação da terapia antimicrobiana empírica e correlacioná-la com a mortalidade em 30 dias. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo coorte retrospectivo com pacientes que apresentaram infecção de corrente sanguínea por P. aeruginosa no período de Janeiro a Dezembro de 2011. Foram analisadas variáveis epidemiológicas e clínicas destes pacientes correlacionando-as com a mortalidade em 30 dias. Resultados: Vinte e nove pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. A média de idade dos pacientes que tiveram óbito foi de 66 anos e dos sobreviventes foi de 72 anos (p=0,37). Foi detectada uma elevada mortalidade hospitalar (21 de 29 pacientes, 72,4%) entre os pacientes com infecção de corrente sanguínea por P. aeruginosa. Meropenem isoladamente foi o antimicrobiano mais utilizado (34,5%). Houve inadequação na terapia empírica em oito pacientes (27,5%). Em relação às variáveis analisadas, nenhuma teve correlação estatisticamente significante com a mortalidade em 30 dias. Conclusão Nosso estudo encontrou uma elevada taxa de mortalidade entre paciente com bacteremia por P. aeruginosa. Nenhuma variável foi preditora de mortalidade em 30 dias. Estudos com uma maior casuística são necessários para um melhor entendimento das variáveis relacionadas à mortalidade entre estes pacientes

Background and Purpose: Bloodstream infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa presents significant morbidity, mortality and hospital costs. Appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy significantly impacts on mortality however the choice of adequate antibiotic therapy is a challenge for clinicians due to bacterial resistance. This study aimed to analyze the adequacy of empirical antimicrobial therapy among patients with BSI caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and to correlate it with the 30-day mortality. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with bloodstream infections caused by P. aeruginosa from January 1st, 2011 to December 31, 2011. We analyzed demographic and clinical variables of those patients correlating them with the 30-day mortality. Results: Twenty-nine patients were included in the study. The average age of patients who died and survived was 66 years and 72 years, respectively (p=0.37). A high hospital mortality rate (21 of 29 patients, 72.4%) was detected. Meropenem was the most used antibiotic during the study period (34.5%). There was inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy in eight patients (27.5%). No statistically significant difference was observed with regard to 30-day mortality among the variables analyzed. Conclusion: Our study found a high mortality rate among patients with BSI caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. No variable was found to be predictor of 30-day mortality in this cohort of patients. Further studies with larger samples are needed for a better understanding of variables related to mortality among these patients.

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Las infecciones por pseudomonas aeruginosa se presentan habitualmente en individuos con factores predisponentes, siendo excepcional su ocurrencia en los previamente sanos. Se describe el caso de un lactante de 2 meses sin antecedentes patológicos a destacar que presentó una infección grave por pseudomonas aeruginosa, presentando al momentode la consulta en emergencia lesiones en piel características de ectima gangrenoso. El reconocimiento de estas lesiones permite adecuar el tratamiento antibiótico empírico a la susceptibilidad antimicrobiana de este germen. La presencia de una infección por esta bacteria obliga al clínico a la búsqueda de inmunodeficiencias no diagnosticadas previamente...

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Las infecciones por pseudomonas aeruginosa se presentan habitualmente en individuos con factores predisponentes, siendo excepcional su ocurrencia en los previamente sanos. Se describe el caso de un lactante de 2 meses sin antecedentes patológicos a destacar que presentó una infección grave por pseudomonas aeruginosa, presentando al momentode la consulta en emergencia lesiones en piel características de ectima gangrenoso. El reconocimiento de estas lesiones permite adecuar el tratamiento antibiótico empírico a la susceptibilidad antimicrobiana de este germen. La presencia de una infección por esta bacteria obliga al clínico a la búsqueda de inmunodeficiencias no diagnosticadas previamente.

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PURPOSE: To describe an outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis post cataract surgery. Clinical findings, treatment and outcome are discussed. METHODS: Clinical charts review of forty-five patients treated for endophthalmitis in a two-day period. The patients underwent primary vitrectomy, anterior chamber irrigation and intravitreous antibiotic injection. Cultures from vitreous and anterior chamber samples were performed in all patients. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (twenty-three men and twenty-two women) were identified. The average age was 71.2 years (range, 56-83 years). The right eye (62%) was affected more often than the left eye (38%). The median interval between surgery and endophthalmitis onset was 5.5 days (range, 5-6 days). The visual acuity at the diagnosis was better than 20/40 in one patient (2%), from 20/40 to 20/200 in one patient (2%), from 20/400 to counting fingers in two patients (4%), hand movements in eleven patients (24%), and light perception in thirty patients (68%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the isolated agent in twenty-six vitreous samples and in three anterior chamber samples. Overall, one patient (2%) achieved a final visual acuity better than 20/40; eight patients (18%) achieved a final visual acuity from 20/40 to 20/200; six patients (13%) achieved a final visual acuity from 20/400 to counting fingers; eleven patients (25%) achieved a final acuity of hand movements; thirteen patients (29%) achieved a final acuity of light perception and six (13%) patients had no light perception at the last examination. None of these eyes underwent evisceration or enucleation in a three-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Even with all the safety that cataract surgery has achieved, today, endophthalmitis remains a risk and a fearful complication of this procedure. In the present study, it was impossible to identify the source of the outbreak.

OBJETIVO: Descrever surto de endoftalmite por Pseudomonas aeruginosa após facectomia. Os achados clínicos, o tratamento e o resultado são discutidos. MÉTODOS: Revisão dos prontuários de quarenta e cinco pacientes tratados para endoftalmite em um período de dois dias. Todos os pacientes foram tratados por vitrectomia primária, irrigação da câmara anterior e injeção vítrea de antibióticos. Culturas do vítreo e de amostras de câmara anterior foram realizadas em todos os pacientes. RESULTADOS: Quarenta e cinco pacientes (23 homens e 22 mulheres) foram identificados. A idade média foi 71,2 anos (variação, 56-83 anos). O olho direito (62%) foi mais afetado do que o esquerdo (38%). O intervalo médio entre a cirurgia e a apresentação da endoftalmite foi de 5,5 dias (intervalo de 5-6 dias). A acuidade visual no momento do diagnóstico foi melhor que 20/40 em um paciente (2%), de 20/40 a 20/200 em um paciente (2%), de 20/400 para contar dedos em dois pacientes (4%), movimento de mão em onze pacientes (24%), percepção de luz em trinta pacientes (68%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa foi o agente isolado em 26 amostras de vítreo e em três amostras da câmara anterior. No geral, um paciente (2%) obteve acuidade visual final melhor que 20/40, oito pacientes (18%) obtiveram acuidade visual final de 20/40 a 20/200, seis pacientes (13%) obtiveram acuidade visual final de 20/400 para contar os dedos; onze pacientes (25%) obtiveram acuidade visual final de movimento de mão; treze pacientes (29%) obtiveram acuidade visual final de percepção de luz e seis (13%) pacientes não havia percepção luminosa no último exame. Nenhum olho foi submetido à evisceração ou enucleação em três meses de acompanhamento. CONCLUSÃO: Mesmo com toda a segurança da cirurgia de catarata nos dias atuais, endoftalmite permanece um risco e uma complicação temível deste procedimento. No presente estudo não foi possível identificar a fonte do surto.

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OBJETIVOS: A Pseudomonas aeruginosa é um patógeno oportunista que tem se destacado quanto à prevalência em casos de infecções hospitalares. Sua ampla resistência aos diversos grupos de antimicrobianos garante a este microrganismo um papel de destaque entre as bactérias mais prevalentes associadas à infecção nosocomial. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um levantamento epidemiológico da P. aeruginosa, bem como do seu perfil de susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo baseado no livro de registro de secreções diversas do laboratório de bacteriologia do Hospital das Clínicas no período compreendido entre janeiro a junho de 2008. Entre os registros, identificamos aqueles que foram positivos para a P. aeruginosa, analisando sua origem e perfil de susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos utilizados na rotina daquele laboratório. RESULTADOS: As bactérias mais freqüentes, isoladas das secreções diversas, foram P. aeruginosa (26 por cento) e S. aureus (25 por cento). Quanto à origem, a P. aeruginosa foi isolada principalmente de infecções respiratórias, pois 33 por cento das amostras positivas para esta bactéria foram provinientes de secreções traqueais e 21 por cento nasais. Os antimicrobianos mais eficazes contra a P. aeruginosa foram: amicacina, imipenem, meropenem e aztreonam. CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados mostram uma alta prevalência de P. aeruginosa, no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Apesar de apresentar grande resistência a antimicrobianos mais antigos como as cefalosporinas de primeira e segunda geração, assim como cloranfenicol, em geral, este patógeno demonstrou boa sensibilidade às drogas utilizadas na rotina deste hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an increasingly prevalent opportunistic pathogen in hospital infection cases. Its high resistance rates to many antimicrobials has given this microorganism a relevant role among other highly prevalent bacteria involved in nosocomial infections. This study aimed to analyze epidemiologic characteristics of P. aeruginosa and to evaluate its susceptibility to antimicrobial agents at Hospital das Clínicas of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco METHODS: A retrospective study was performed based on the registry book of miscellaneous secretions from the bacteriology laboratory of the Hospital das Clínicas involving the period between January and June 2008. Among the secretions registered, were identified the positives samples for P. aeruginosa, whose origin was analyzed, as well as its susceptibility profile to routinely used in our laboratory antimicrobials. RESULTS: The bacteria most frequently isolated from miscellaneous secretions bacteria were P. aeruginosa (26 percent) and S. aureus (25 percent). P. aeruginosa was mainly isolated from respiratory infections, with 33 percent of positive samples for this organism from tracheal secretions and 21 percent from nasal. The most effective antimicrobials against P. aeruginosa were: amikacin, imipenem, meropenem and aztreonam. CONCLUSIONS: These results show a high prevalence of P. aeruginosa in the Hospital das Clínicas of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Despite featuring high resistance rates to older antimicrobials, as cephalosporins first and second generations and chloramphenicol, this pathogen showed good susceptibility to agents routinely used in this hospital.

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OBJETIVOS: Avaliar as condições de uso de água boricada e verificar a contaminação dos frascos e seu conteúdo. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados, por critério de conveniência, quarenta e dois pacientes, usuários de água boricada, que compareceram ao Pronto-Socorro de Oftalmologia do Hospital São Paulo, em fevereiro e março de 2003. Foi colhido material para cultura do saco conjuntival, da superfície interna da borda do frasco, da superfície interna da tampa, além de 1 ml de solução do frasco. RESULTADOS: Dos 42 recipientes de água boricada, 17 (40,5 por cento) apresentavam contaminação, sendo 1 (2,4 por cento) no conteúdo liquido, 17 (40,5 por cento) na parte interna da tampa e 6 (14,3 por cento) na parte interna da borda do frasco. Dos 17 frascos contaminados, 10 (58,8 por cento) tiveram suas tampas manuseadas de maneira inadequada e 13 (76,5 por cento) frascos já haviam sido usados em outras ocasiões. Os microrganismos mais encontrados nas tampas e bordas foram Staphylococcus sp (69,6 por cento) e bacilos Gram-positivos (26,1 por cento). Dezesseis (38,1 por cento) frascos foram abertos há mais de um mês e, destes, 5 (31,3 por cento) apresentaram contaminação. A instrução de uso nos rótulos dos frascos era inconsistente. A utilização de água boricada foi por conta própria, por indicação de amigos ou parentes em 26 (61,9 por cento) casos; indicação de farmacêuticos em 8 (19,0 por cento); de oftalmologistas em 5 (11,9 por cento) e de clínicos gerais em 3 (7,1 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: A indicação de uso tópico oftálmico de água boricada foi feita, na maioria, por leigos. Os frascos, em geral, eram manipulados de maneira inadequada, apresentando contaminação em uma proporção de casos muito maior do que a contaminação do líquido. Essa porcentagem menor de contaminação do conteúdo provavelmente está associada às características anti-sépticas do produto.

PURPOSE: To evaluate use conditions and detect contamination in bottles of boric acid solution. METHODS: A convenience sample of 42 recruited patients using boric acid solution came to the Ophthalmology Emergency Room of the São Paulo Hospital from February to March of 2003. Cultures were taken from material of the conjunctival sac, inner surface of bottle edge, inner part of cap and from 1 ml of boric acid solution of each bottle. RESULTS: Of the 42 boric acid solution bottles, 17 (40.5 percent) showed contamination: 1 (2.4 percent) in the solution, 17 (40.5 percent) in the inner cap and 6 (14.3 percent) in the inner part of the bottle edge. Of the 17 contaminated bottles, 10 (58.8 percent) were handled inappropriately and 13 (76.5 percent) of the bottles were not discharged after first use. The most common microorganisms found in the caps and edges of the bottles were Staphylococcus sp (69.6 percent), followed by Gram-positive bacillus (26.1 percent). Sixteen bottles (38.1 percent) had been opened more than a month ago and 5 (31.3 percent) of those showed contamination. The boric acid solution bottle directions shown on the labels were incomplete and not clear. The use of boric acid solution was on recommendation of their own, friends or relatives in 26 (61.9 percent) cases; pharmacists in 8 (19.0 percent) cases, ophthalmologists in 5 (11.9 percent) cases and general practitioners in 3 (7.1 percent) cases. CONCLUSION: In most cases, the topic use of boric acid solution was recommended by non-physicians. The bottles, in general, were handled inappropriately, and hence presented a much higher level of contamination that did the boric acid solution inside. The lower level of contamination in the solution is possibly associated with the anti-septic characteristics of the boric acid solution.

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