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1 , Elzbieta Tomaszewska 1 , Zygmunt Muszynski 2 , Maria Ciupinska Abstract Introduction: Neoplastic ulcers are chronic and, most often, irreversible lesions caused by proliferation of tumor cells infiltrating and damaging skin tissues. The treatment of neoplastic ulcers is a very difficult and time-consuming process. So, is very important to find methods of controlling this type of chronic wounds. Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of monitored treatment of neoplastic ulcers by means of providing moist wound envi - ronment dressings and antiseptic to the group of patients with an advanced stage of tumor, with particular focus on the impact of the treatment applied on the clinical condition of the ulcers; to evaluate the impact of the treat - ment applied on the dynamics of bacterial flora in neoplastic ulcers, with particular focus on the presence of alarm pathogens; to conduct a risk analysis of the occurrence of local and systemic complications during treatment. Material and methods: This was a prospective pilot clinical study of 30 patients with malignant ulcers, 13 male and 17 female aged from 24 to 92 years treated with octenidine antiseptic and dressing set for 3 weeks. The wounds were clinically assessed for the changes of amount of necrotic tissue, exudate level and type, malodour and pain level during treatment. At the baseline and after 3 weeks of treatment, the wounds were swabbed for microbiological assessment. Results: The used scheme of treatment is efficient and brings clinical improvement in all treated ulcers. During the 3-week treatment, reduction of necrotic tissue, decrease in the level of exudate, pain and malodour was observed in all patients ( p < 0.05). High activity of octenidine against Gram(-) and Gram(+) bacteria was observed. The use of octenidine dihydrochloride correlated with a progressing eradication of multiresistant strains and alarm pathogens ( p < 0.001). No serious adverse effects or significant symptoms of intolerance of the applied treatment were observed.

Even the best technical and organizational methods will not prevent the infection of the spot being operated on. The risks may be caused for example by the microbial air pollution of the operating theatre. Ways of air decontamination for the purposes of air conditioning and ventilating used in the operating theatre are both up-to-date and essential. Decontamination methods involve filtration by means of HEPA, ULPA, EU-13 filters with 99.99% effectiveness foror = 0.1 microm particles. The most suitable sterile air flow is a displacing, vertical, ceiling system e.g. 3.2 x 3.2 m according with the requirements of the laminar air flow (LAF) at the speed of 0.3-0.5 m/sec. The above system should provide 1 cfu/m3 over the operating theatre and "safe bio conditions" at 30-100 cfu/m3 during at least 3-hour work. Decontamination by means of filtration is cost effective both in production and in use: the cost of filters exchanging, humidification, the problem of Legionella pneumofila or the air cooling system. MFI (Multifunction Ion Air Cleaning) does not show the abovementioned limitations. The method makes use of the combination of the ionising processes and electrostatic attraction of particles0.003 um which include cells of bacteria, fungi and some viruses. MFI technology used in Nanobio E 310 (Genano) working at 250 m3/h allows for eliminating microorganisms from the air ator = 1 cfu/m3. These decontamination methods make it possible to achieve appropriate microbiological standards when the appliance is properly used.

The purpose of this research was the analysis of the Lactobacillus spp. strain occurrence in diagnostic materials obtained in the clinical pediatric hospital as well as to evaluate the phenotypic features of isolated strains and bile salts hydrolase (BSH) activity. Isolated strains were grown booth on media routinely used in clinical microbiology (TSA, Columbia + 5% sheep blood, D-coccosel) and on selective media (MRS) to isolated Lactobacillus bacteria. Strains were identified on the basis of biochemical profile in API 50CH test. Strains morphology and appearance of bile salts hydrolase activity were determined. During the research 107 Lactobacillus strains were isolated in oncology ward (37%), pulmonology (24%), home marrow transplantation (10%), intensive care unit (11%), and others. The strains were isolated from blood (9%), cerebrospinal fluid (1%), peritoneal fluid (1%), intestinal fistula (1%), respiratory tract (81%) and others. L. rhamnosus species dominated. The isolates grew poorly on routine media white on selective (MRS) media they grew well. Bile salts hydrolase (BSH) activity was detected in 20% of the strains. The results of the research show that Lactobacillus rods colonise patients with lowered immunity and may be the source of serious opportunistic infections in children. Phenotypic features, including many similar to Enterococcus species, make the diagnosis of these bacteria difficult. The use of MRS media can make it easier to isolate Lactobacillus rods from clinical materials.

The antimicrobial activity of infusion, decoction, ethanol extract and fractions obtained by successive extraction of Viola tricolor herb with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol was evaluated. The infusion, decoction and ethanol extract were found to be most effective against the tested microorganisms.

Sterility and antibacterial activity of several antibiotics (including some penicillins and their salts, gramicidin and neomycin) subjected to sterilization by irradiation has been studied. The compounds in solid phase have been exposed to gamma irradiation in air atmosphere at room temperature, with a dose of 25 kGy, and afterwards they have been subjected to tests recommended by FP V (volume I, 1990) checking their sterility and activity. The results have shown that the majority of initial compounds have been to a slight degree contaminated by bacteria from the genera Bacillus and Micrococcus, the number of bacteria did not exceed 10(2) CFU, and fungi up to 10 CFU in 1 g of the compound. All compounds subjected to sterilization with a dose of 25 kGy were sterile and preserved the activity required by FP V. The decrease in activity observed for some compounds was always within the limits of FP specification. The results have proved that the penicillins analysed, gramicidin and neomycin can be sterilized by irradiation with a dose of 25 kGy, without any detrimental effect on their properties and antibacterial activity.