Strategies for decreasing contamination of homemade nasal saline irrigation solutions.

Background: Saline nasal irrigations (SNI) are an important adjunct in the treatment of rhinosinusitis, and many patients prepare and store these solutions in their homes without an awareness of the potential for contamination. The objectives of this study were to determine if such contamination occurs and the effect of preparation methods on contamination.

Methods: Stock solutions of various tonicities and pHs were prepared using boiled, bottled, and distilled water (n = 57).

Staphylococcus Alpha-Toxin Action on the Rabbit Iris: Toxic Effects and Their Inhibition.

Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus infection of the anterior chamber can occur after cataract surgery, causing inflammation and extensive damage to the iris. Alpha-toxin, the most potent S. aureus corneal toxin, was tested as a possible mediator of damage to the iris, and alpha-toxin anti-serum and a chemical toxin inhibitor were tested as potential pathology-reducing agents.

Effectiveness of Alpha-toxin Fab Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Limiting the Pathology of Staphylococcus aureus Keratitis.

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of a high-affinity human monoclonal antibody Fab fragment to Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin (LTM14 Fab) as therapy for S. aureus keratitis.

Methods: A single topical drop of the LTM14 Fab antibody to alpha-toxin alone, or in 0.