OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pneumoperitoneum, both alone and in combination with controlled ventilation, on peritoneal lymphatic bacterial clearance using a rat bacterial peritonitis model. METHOD: A total of 69 male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally inoculated with an Escherichia coli solution (109 colony-forming units (cfu)/mL) and divided into three groups of 23 animals each: A (control group), B (pneumoperitoneum under 5 mmHg of constant pressure), and C (endotracheal intubation, controlled ventilation, and pneumoperitoneum as in Group B). The animals were sacrificed after 30 min under these conditions, and blood, mediastinal ganglia, lungs, peritoneum, liver, and spleen cultures were performed. RESULTS: Statistical analyses comparing the number of cfu/sample in each of the cultures showed that no differences existed between the three groups. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we concluded that pneumoperitoneum, either alone or in association with mechanical ventilation, did not modify the bacterial clearance through the diaphragmatic lymphatic system of the peritoneal cavity.

A contaminação de hemocomponentes por bactérias presentes na pele do doador de sangue pode levar à infecção pós-transfusional no receptor da transfusão. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência de quatro produtos antissépticos utilizados na antissepsia da pele do antebraço de doadores de sangue. Avaliamos 363 doadores que foram distribuídos em quatros grupos (A a D) de acordo com o produto utilizado. Grupo A: álcool e tintura de iodo; grupo B: álcool e clorexidine; grupo C: álcool e grupo D: álcool e polivilpirrolidona (PVPI). Foram realizadas culturas de swabs de pele antes e após a aplicação dos produtos e hemocultura do sangue coletado para avaliação da contaminação bacteriana. Observamos que os grupos A (82/94) e D (68/78), bem como a associação dos grupos B (69/91) e C (72/100) foram semelhantes quanto ao nível de redução bacteriana pré e pós-aplicação dos antissépticos. Houve maior redução no número de colônias bacterianas nos grupos A e D quando comparados ao B e C (p<0,001). Apenas uma amostra apresentou positividade na hemocultura. Concluímos que os produtos dos grupos A (álcool e tintura de iodo) e D (álcool e PVPI) apresentaram melhor eficiência na antissepsia de pele em doadores de sangue.

Bacterial contamination of blood products from blood donor's skin can lead to infection after transfusions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of four antiseptic products used on the antecubital skin of blood donors. We evaluated 363 blood donors who were divided into four groups (A to D) according to the product used. Group A: alcohol and iodine tincture; Group B: alcohol and chlorhexidine; Group C: alcohol; and Group D: alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPI). Culture skin swabs were taken before and after the application of the products and blood cultures were collected for an assessment of bacterial contamination. We observed that Groups A (82/94) and D (68/78), and the association of the agents of Groups B (69/91) and C (72/100) were similar in the level of bacterial reduction comparing before and after the application of the antiseptic. There was a greater reduction in the number of bacterial colonies in Groups A and D when compared to B and C (p <0001). Only one blood culture was positive. We concluded that the products in Groups A (alcohol and iodine tincture) and D (alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone) have better efficiency in antisepsis of the skin of blood donors.

FUNDAMENTO: Leveduras do gênero Candida determinam colonização, infecções superficiais e infecções sistêmicas em imunodeprimidos. As várias apresentações da doença levam à necessidade de utilizar diferentes métodos diagnósticos e tratamentos. OBJETIVOS: Diferenciar as espécies de Candida e correlacioná-las com as regiões anatômicas. Avaliar a susceptibilidade a cetoconazol, fluconazol, itraconazol e anfotericina B. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 100 pacientes imunocompetentes com candidíase cutânea ou mucosa atendidos na Santa Casa de S. Paulo entre maio de 1999 e julho de 2001. Correlacionou-se a região acometida e a espécie de Candida, isolada através técnica CHROMagar Candida®. Avaliou-se a susceptibilidade das espécies a cetoconazol, fluconazol, itraconazol e anfotericina B, através do Etest®. RESULTADOS: C. albicans foi isolada em 76,0% dos materiais, C. krusei em 19% e C. tropicalis em 1%. Não houve correlação significante entre a região acometida e as espécies. A maioria das amostras mostrou susceptibilidade aos antifúngicos. CONCLUSÃO: C. albicans foi a espécie mais observada. A maioria das amostras de Candida mostrou-se susceptível aos antifúngicos.

BACKGROUND: Yeasts of the genus Candida create colonization, superficial infections and systemic infections in immunodeficient individuals. The presentations of the disease lead to the necessity of using various diagnostic methods and treatments. OBJECTIVES: To differentiate among the Candida species, correlate them with the anatomical region involved and evaluate in vitro susceptibility to ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin B. METHODS: An evaluation of 100 cases of immunocompetent patients with cutaneous or mucous candidiasis attended at the Santa Casa de Sao Paulo Hospital from May 1999 to July 2001. This study attempted to correlate the site of the involvement and the Candida species, isolated using the CHROMagar Candida® technique. The species were evaluated using the Etest® antifungal susceptibility to ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin B. RESULTS: C. albicans was isolated in 76% of the material, C. krusei in 19% and C. tropicalis in 1%. It was not possible to establish a significant correlation between the involved area and the species isolated. Most of the samples proved to be susceptible to the antifungals tested. CONCLUSIONS: C. albicans was the most commonly observed species. The majority of samples presented susceptibility to the tested antifungals.