Background. Ultraviolet light in the UV-C band is also known as germicidal radiation, and it is widely used for decontamination and disinfection of environments, water, and food. The ultravi-olet source transfers electromagnetic energy from a mercury arc lamp to an organism´s genetic material. When UV radiation penetrates the cell wall of an organism, it destroys the cell´s ability to reproduce, through a physical and not chemical process. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of a new UV-C generating device (Asepsis) against clini-cally important microorganisms that may be present in beauty centers. Methods. We present here a set of tests performed on tools easy to find in beauty salons (hair-brushes, nail pliers, makeup brushes, and, due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, face mask samples). They were individually contaminated with bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylo-coccus aureus), fungi (Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrum, Candida albicans, Malassezia fur-fur), and the Chikungunya virus. Different times of exposure were evaluated (1, 3, and 5 minutes). Results. There was notable reduction in the microbial load in every test, in comparison with control groups. Best results were observed on face mask samples, while the makeup brush showed less reduction, even with longer periods of exposure. Conclusions. Beauty salons present a risk of infections due to microbial exposure. The device tested can efficiently inactivate, in a short time, microorganisms contaminating most tools found in this setting. The device also showed promising results against enveloped virus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in areas close to patients in a General Intensive Care Unit. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, in which microbiological samples were collected from five surfaces (left / right bed siderails, bed crank, table, buttons on the infusion pump, and cotton gowns) from each of ten patient rooms, totaling 63 samples. To collect samples, the Petri FilmTM Staph Express Count System 3M TM was used to screen for methicillin resistance, with the Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with 4% sodium chloride and 6 µg / ml of oxacillin. Descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the frequency (n) and percentage (%) of contamination of environmental surfaces. RESULTS: Of 48 samples positive for Staphylococcus aureus, 29 (60.4%) were resistant to methicillin. The incidence on the siderails and bed cranks, table, buttons on the infusion pumps and aprons were, respectively, 55.5%, 57.1%, 57.1%, 60.0% and 75.0%. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the surfaces around the patient constitute a major threat, as they represent secondary reservoirs of MRSA.

ABSTRACT - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in areas close to patients in a General Intensive Care Unit. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, in which microbiological samples were collected from five surfaces (left / right bed siderails, bed crank, table, buttons on the infusion pump, and cotton gowns) from each of ten patient rooms, totaling 63 samples. To collect samples, the Petri FilmTM Staph Express Count System 3MTM was used to screen for methicillin resistance, with the Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with 4% sodium chloride and 6 µg / ml of oxacillin. Descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the frequency (n) and percentage (%) of contamination of environmental surfaces. RESULTS: Of 48 samples positive for Staphylococcus aureus, 29 (60.4%) were resistant to methicillin. The incidence on the siderails and bed cranks, table, buttons on the infusion pumps and aprons were, respectively, 55.5%, 57.1%, 57.1%, 60.0% and 75.0%. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the surfaces around the patient constitute a major threat, as they represent secondary reservoirs of MRSA.

Abstract Distinct cases of Paracoccidioidomycosis and Cryptococcosis with atypical and localized skin manifestation on the upper limbs of two elderly patients are reported. In the 2nd one, he presented asymptomatic pulmonary cancer; the blood tests for fungal infection were negative, and the etiologic agents were seen in skin biopsy samples. This report emphasizes the importance of the differential diagnosis of infectious diseases in elderly patients.

Several formulae have been developed in an attempt to reduce the toxicity of amphotericin B (AmB), but their high costs preclude widespread use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of amphotericin B in a fat emulsion, i.e. Intralipid (AmB-IL), in 37 AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM). We retrospectively reviewed data collected in a non-comparative open study between January 1999 and December 2001. The therapeutic cure was defined as complete resolution or improvement of the clinical symptoms or complete absence or improvement of the mycological alterations of the CSF. The outcomes were evaluated at 2 weeks, induction phase (IP), and at the end of treatment or consolidation phase (CP) with the last available CSF. Prior to the diagnosis of CM, 72% of patients had had one or more OI and 67.57% had a concomitant OI. The median CD4-cell count was 32 cells/mm³, the median leukocyte count in the CSF was 29 cells/mm³ and the median cumulative dose of AmB-IL was 1,200 mg (300-2,500). The therapeutic cure was 57.14% in the IP and 64.86% in the CP. During IP, 9 patients died (24.32%) and 4 (10.81%) during the CP (p=0.2). Thus, the overall mortality rate was 35.14%. AmB-IL, an inexpensive preparation, might be an alternative to conventional AmB. Some questions remain such as its compatibility, stability and level of toxicity. The benefit is especially important in developing countries, where no drugs other than AmB are available to treat systemic fungal infections.

O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as condições microbiológicas de colchões caixa de ovo em uso hospitalar com a finalidade de identificar a presença de Staphylococcus aureus e seu fenótipo de resistência à meticilina (MRSA). Coletaram-se as amostras microbiológicas nos colchões por meio de placas de contato PetrifilmTM em posições pré-estabelecidas. Totalizou-se 180 placas coletadas em 15 colchões, das quais 139 (72,2%) foram positivas para Staphylococcus aureus. Desse total, 77 (55,4%) e 62 (44,6%) corresponderam respectivamente à coleta antes e após a lavagem dos colchões. Evidenciou-se redução significante (p=0,023) das Unidades Formadoras de Colônias (UFC), entretanto com relação ao perfil de resistência foi identificado 8 (53,3%) colchões com MRSA. Diante dos resultados, pode-se inferir sobre o risco destes colchões atuarem como reservatórios secundários na cadeia de infecção, especialmente no que se refere à presença de MRSA.