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This study concerning bacteriological controls of food for immuno-suppressive patients have shown that food sterilized in sterilizer or with pressure-cooker contains sporulated bacteria after treatment. Unit packaging or freeze-drying commercial foods offer no bacteriological quality guarantees. Clinicians have to define acceptable contamination rate according to their patients' condition.

Sanitary U bends are very contaminated places from a microbiological point of view. They may even be dangerous for immunocompromised patients. Although daily chloride disinfection of U-bends is ineffective, it seems to work when performed after each use of sanitary devices. On line disinfection reduces not only U-bend bacteriological contamination but also all surrounding surfaces.

General rules to prevent are categorized into four classes. The first one concern patient before operation: well-balanced nourishment latent infections treatment, digestive tract micro flora elimination, immunizations, antiseptic gargles, skin antisepsis. The second one concern operation: previous fumigation, very high efficiency filtration and laminar flow air, transplant care, antibioprophylaxis, operating theatre discipline. The third one concern post-operation days: cubicle initial fumigation, high efficiency filtration and positive pressure air, strict protective insulation, single-use things, controlled food, specific anti viral prevention, catheters and tubes removal or replacement. The fourth one concern going home patient: well-balanced nourishment, body hygiene and hands washing, infected people shunning, gardening and cleaning proscribing, medical follow-up and latent infections systematic detection.

Different methods are used to value nosocomial infections: direct valuation, simple comparison, case control study, standardized comparisons with adjustments. The cost of preventive methods need to be considered and integrated in cost-effectiveness analysis.

The aim of this study is to assess wether the use of the bacteriological filter Pall BB 22 15 placed on the Y piece of the anesthesia equipment decreases contamination and furthermore to evaluate the cost of this practice versus changing anesthetic circuits after every patient. Randomized trials are conducted with three "Engström" machines in three cardiac surgery operating rooms. The Y pieces were examined with qualitative and quantitative bacteriological analysis. Use filters is less expensive than changing circuit for each patient for a comparable efficacy.