In vitro and in vivo bactericidal activities of 10%, 2.5%, and 1% povidone-iodine solution

The bactericidal action of three formulations of a povidone-iodine (PVI) complex in vitro, in vivo, and in the presence of competing organic matter was evaluated. Bacterial organisms included Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and 25 clinical isolates of Staph. aureus, designated KU 1-25. For the in vitro studies, 1.0 mL of bacterial inoculum containing 10(7) organisms was introduced into 9.0 mL of chemically stable 10% and 1% PVI formulations in sterile culture tubes, and 1.0-mL samples were withdrawn at set intervals. Samples were plated by using standard techniques and incubated for 24 hours, after which colony-forming units were counted. For in vivo studies, 0.1 mL of 10(6) Staph. aureus ATCC 25923 or KU inoculum was deposited on the dorsum of the hand of healthy human subjects. This area was wiped with a cotton swab saturated with 1%, 2.5%, or 10% PVI formulations. Samples were taken at 15 and 30 seconds after application of the iodophor. To test the bactericidal activity of the three formulations in the presence of a competing substrate, a swab soaked with sterile sheep's blood was applied to the skin and allowed to dry. The percentage of 10(4) Staph. aureus inoculum recovered allowed for comparison of the three products. In vitro, the 1% PVI formulation was bactericidal for 10(7) Staph. aureus within two minutes, as compared with the four minutes required by 10% PVI. On the skin contaminated with 10(6) organisms, the rates of killing within 30 seconds were comparable for both solutions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparison of Endovenous Treatment with an 810 nm Laser versus Conventional Stripping of the Great Saphenous Vein in Patients with Primary Varicose Veins

BACKGROUND: Patients with varicose veins seek medical assistance for many reasons, including esthetic ones. The development of suitable and more flexible instruments, along with less invasive techniques, enables the establishment of new therapeutic procedures. OBJECTIVE: To compare endovenous great saphenous vein photocoagulation with an 810 nm diode laser and the conventional stripping operation in the same patient. METHODS: Twenty patients selected for operative treatment of primary great saphenous vein insufficiency on duplex scanning were assigned to a bilateral random comparison. In all cases, both techniques were performed, one on each lower limb. Clinically, evaluation was assessed on the seventh, thirtieth, and sixtieth postoperative days. Patients underwent examination with duplex ultrasonography and air plethysmography during the follow-up. RESULTS: Patients who received endovenous photocoagulation presented with the same pain but fewer swellings and less bruising than the stripping side. Most patients indicated that the limb operated on by laser received more benefits than the other. There was only one recanalization and no adverse effects. The venous filling time showed better hemodynamics in both techniques. CONCLUSION: The endovenous great saphenous vein photocoagulation is safe and well tolerated and presents results comparable to those of conventional stripping.     

Localization of a gene for otosclerosis to chromosome 15q25-q26

Among white adults otosclerosis is the single most common cause of hearing impairment. Although the genetics of this disease are controversial, the majority of studies indicate autosomal dominant inheritance with reduced penetrance. We studied a large multi- generational family in which otosclerosis has been inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Five of16 affected persons have surgically confirmed otosclerosis; the remaining nine have a conductive hearing loss but have not undergone corrective surgery. To locate the disease- causing gene we completed genetic linkage analysis using short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs) distributed over the entire genome. Multipoint linkage analysis showed that only one genomic region, on chromosome 15q, generated a lod score >2.0. Additional STRPs were typed in this area, resulting in a lod score of 3.4. STRPs FES (centromeric) and D15S657 (telomeric) flank the 14. 5 cM region that contains an otosclerosis gene.