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Most studies focusing on detecting microorganisms in air by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have used a liquid impinger to sample bioaerosols, mainly because a liquid sample is easy to be processed by PCR analysis. Nevertheless, the use of multiple-hole impactors for the analysis of bioaerosols by PCR has not been reported despite its great utility in culture analysis. In this study we have modified the impaction onto an agar surface sampling method to impaction onto a liquid medium using the MAS-100 air sampler (Merck) (single-stage multiple-hole impactor). To evaluate the recovery of airborne microorganisms of both sampling methods, a suspension containing Escherichia coli was artificially aerosolized and bioaerosols were collected onto Tergitol-7 agar and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with the MAS-100. A linear regression analysis of the results showed a strong positive correlation between both sampling methods (r = 0.99, slope 0.99, and y intercept 0.07). Afterwards, the method of impingement into a liquid medium was used to study airborne Legionella pneumophila by PCR. A total of 64 samples were taken at a wastewater treatment plant, a chemical plant, and an office building and analyzed by culture and PCR. Results showed that three samples were positive both by PCR and plate culture, and that nine samples negative by plate culture were positive by PCR, proving that L. pneumophila was present in bioaerosols from these three different environments. The results demonstrate the utility of this single-stage multiple-hole impactor for sampling bioaerosols, both by culture and by PCR.

In this paper we describe a simple method, noncorrosive to pipes, for the eradication of Legionella pneumophila from potable water systems. This method is based on the systematic purging of the pipe networks with cold water containing 1 – 1.5 mg residual chlorine/L. In the hot water system, a new pipe bypassing the water heater was installed, whereas in the air conditioning system, the circuit is purged with water from the tap water system. The feasibility of this method was studied in two hotels in which the presence of Legionella was detected despite treatment of the water by the hyperchlorination method. The evolution of the presence of Legionella was studied by culture and polymerase chain reaction. Eighty samples from hotel A and sixty-seven samples from hotel B were analyzed during the time that the eradication method was applied. Our results showed that this method permitted the effective elimination of L. pneumophila after 5 months in hotel A and 7 months in hotel B.Key words: Legionella pneumophila, eradication.

Adsorption in hemodialysis. The use of sorbents in different blood purification techniques is reviewed. The sorbents used in these therapies are divided into two groups: (1) Adsorption occurs fundamentally because of the hydrophobic properties of the sorbents. In this group, the sorbents used in different dialysis techniques are charcoal and nonionic macroporous resins. (2) Adsorption occurs by chemical affinity, such as ion exchange resins and chemisorbents. Sorbents were initially used in hemoperfusion, which caused many adverse events; later, with the use of coated charcoal, these undesired effects decreased or disappeared, but the adsorptive properties, water control, and acid-base balance still created problems. For these reasons, the use of sorbents in the treatment of chronic renal failure was almost totally discontinued. Little by little, interest in these substances has reappeared, and at present, they have been used in combination with other blood purification techniques such as hemodialysis, hemofiltration, peritoneal dialysis, and finally, hemodiafiltration. Within the various hemodiafiltration techniques, paired filtration dialysis-charcoal is being used to regenerate the ultrafiltrate, which is used as the replacement fluid. Charcoal regenerates the ultrafiltrate and transforms it into a physiological solution with a normal electrolyte composition, calcium, bicarbonate, and glucose, having eliminated the majority of both middle and large molecule uremic toxins. If regeneration is done properly, this replacement fluid is bacteria and endotoxin free. Studies currently are underway on the adsorption of different inflammatory substances in the ultrafiltrate, which could lead to improvement in the biocompatibility of the system.