ABSTRACT Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) involves the association of a photosensitizing agent with a light source with the goal of causing apoptosis or microbial lysing. The use of compounds with natural active principles is gaining prominence throughout the world. Several studies from groups that are linked to the development of innovations in the pharmaceutical market have used natural dyes, such as curcumin, the efficacy of which has been demonstrated in aPDT trials. Difficulties related to physicochemical stability, solubility and cell penetration are some of the challenges associated with this field. The present work aimed to prepare, investigate the characteristics and improve the photodynamic activity of PLGA-based nanoparticles loaded with curcumin for use in aPDT therapy. Using the simple technique of emulsion during the evaporation of a solvent, the particles were built, characterized and tested against microorganisms with importance for medicine and dentistry. The results revealed that the particles were able to protect the curcumin against degradation and eliminate some microorganism species at nanomolar concentrations.

This is a bacteriological analysis that aimed to determine the most common bacterial and fungal species on the mobile phones, and the oral and nasal cavities of the healthcare team of a hospital in Minas Gerais state. Questionnaires were applied and samples of secretions from the oral and nasal cavity, and used mobile phones were collected. The microorganisms were identified and the susceptibility to antimicrobials was analyzed. In 60 samples, Staphylococcus aureus was found in 40% of the professionals and 6.7% of this bacterium was present on the mobile phones. All isolates were classified as resistant to penicillin and 3.57% to oxacillin. Fungi were not isolated. The mobile phones used in health centers can become vehicles for infectious agents and be potential vectors for transmission of infections, in case they are not decontaminated after being used.

Análisis microbiológico que tuvo el objetivo de determinar las principales especies bacterianas y fúngicas presentes en los teléfonos móviles y en las cavidades bucal y nasal del equipo de salud de un hospital de una ciudad del interior de Minas Gerais. Se aplicaron cuestionarios y se recogieron muestras de secreción de la cavidad oral, nasal y del teléfono móvil en uso. Los microorganismos fueron identificados y la susceptibilidad a antimicrobianos fue evaluada. En 60 muestras recogidas, el 40% de los profesionales fueron portadores de Staphylococcus aureus y el 6,7% presentaron esta bacteria en el móvil. Todos los aislados fueron clasificados como resistentes a la penicilina y el 3,57% a la oxacilina. No fueron aislados hongos. Los teléfonos móviles utilizados en los centros de salud son pasibles de conducir agentes infecciosos y constituir fómites potenciales en la transmisión de infecciones, si no descontaminados después del uso.

Análise microbiológica que objetivou determinar as principais espécies bacterianas e fúngicas presentes nos aparelhos celulares e nas cavidades bucal e nasal da equipe de saúde, de um hospital de uma cidade do interior de Minas Gerais. Foram aplicados questionários e coletadas amostras de secreção da cavidade oral, nasal e do aparelho celular em uso. Os microrganismos foram identificados, e a susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos foi avaliada. Em 60 amostras coletadas, 40% dos profissionais foram portadores de Staphylococcus aureus, e 6,7% apresentaram esta bactéria no celular. Todos os isolados foram classificados como resistentes à penicilina e 3,57% à oxacilina. Não foram isolados fungos. Os aparelhos celulares utilizados em estabelecimentos de saúde são passíveis de veicular agentes infecciosos e constituir fômites potenciais na transmissão de infecções, se não descontaminados após o uso.