Reducing Staphylococcus aureus bacterial counts in a dental clinic using an Ionic Breeze air purifier: a preliminary study.

Aerosols and droplets generated by dental procedures are contaminated with blood and bacteria and represent a potential route for the transmission of disease. This study sought to determine if Ionic Breeze air purifiers are effective in collecting and destroying bacteria found in dental aerosols (such as Staphylococcus aureus). This study placed one Sharper Image Professional Series Ionic Breeze Quadra unit and one Ionic Breeze GP unit (with germicidal protection) in dental operatories within the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry.

Low-cost screening for microbial contaminants in aerosols generated in a dental office.

It has been reported that aerosols and droplets generated by high-speed dental drills and cavitrons are contaminated with blood and bacteria and represent a potential route for transmitting disease. Bacterial cells possess a negative electrical charge, while the cathode ray tubes (CRT) that are used in computer monitors generate positively charged static electric fields. Consequently, bacteria dispersed within these aerosols could be attracted to the screens on CRT monitors.

Vibrio vulnificus load reduction in oysters after combined exposure to Vibrio vulnificus--specific bacteriophage and to an oyster extract component.

Oysters infected with Vibrio vulnificus can present a serious health risk to diabetic, immunocompromised, and iron-deficient individuals. Numerous studies have been conducted with the goal of eliminating this organism from raw oysters. We utilized two natural oyster-associated components: pooled Vibrio vulnificus-specific bacteriophage and an extract of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) that contains an antimicrobial component we named anti-Vibrio vulnificus factor, which is bactericidal for V.

Evaluation of compressed air used in the dental operatory.

Background: The authors report the findings obtained when they quantitatively examined compressed air samples from air-water syringes located in different dental operatories at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry fo r the presence of microbial contaminants.

Methods: Streams of air of 30 seconds' duration from air-water syringes were forced through sterile modified stainless steel membrane filter holders (Millipore, Millipore Corp., Bedford, Mass.