Monthly Archives: August 2013

Texas A&M Biologist Fights Deadly Gut Bacteria, C. diff

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There is so much to learn and “digest” in the world of bacteria, one particular, Clostridium difficile (aka: C. diff). In today’s news a Texas A&M Biologist, Joseph Sorg, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology since 2010, is among a wave of younger researchers studying C. difficile (aka C. diff).

An excerpt from the article referenced:

“What we’re interested in doing is trying to develop an inhibitor as a potential drug,” Sorg said. “If you inhibit the process of germination, you would completely inhibit the disease.”

Sorg and his research group will be working on the recent two-year, $275,000 National Institutes of Health grant with Sonenshein and Yoav Golan, a clinician at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. The goal of the trio’s research is to understand the bile acid composition of various human populations — healthy people, those who have C. difficile, and those who have recurring C. difficile infection — in order to develop drugs with the potential to inhibit C. difficile infection. The human fecal samples will be collected at Tufts Medical Center and shipped to Texas A&M, where Sorg will use his $80,000 portion of the grant funding to analyze the bile acid composition of the blind samples.

“The microbial flora in a healthy person metabolizes bile acids into secondary bile acids, and these secondary bile acids are actually toxic to C. diff growth,” Sorg said. “One of the ways we think that microbial flora inhibits C. diff infection is this metabolism. And when you go on antibiotics, the microbial flora that does this metabolism is obliterated. This NIH grant will allow us to correlate a particular bile acid profile with susceptibility to C. diff infection.”

New medications in Phase III, new studies, additional scientific data being collected are all positive steps forward.

However; constant reminders and maintaining the primary prevention accomplished through hand washing (hand hygiene) guidelines, and protocols, reducing antibiotic use when treating viruses vs bacterial infections, and utilizing room disinfectants, and EPA Registered c. diff sporicide products will prove positive reductions in new cases of C. diff. and other major hospital associated infections worldwide.

To read more about Joseph Sorg and his research group please click on the following link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-08/tau-tab082913.php

“C Diff Foundation: Educating, and advocating for C. diff. prevention, treatments, and environmental safety worldwide.”

Computer keyboards carry germs

Research has shown that a computer’s keyboard can carry more bacteria than a toilet seat! Cleaning the keys frequently will help eliminate harmful germs.

(* Check with IT Department prior to cleaning a computer keyboard/keys belonging to an office/organization)

First, close all open applications, shut down windows, and then shut down the computer and unplug it, if possible.

Turn the keyboard upside down and shake it in order to remove any debris.

Next, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and brush in between each of the keys

* Follow office IT protocols for cleaning of computer keys/keyboards.

You may also consider dipping a cotton cloth in alcohol and lightly run it over the tops of the keys to clean off the germs. Once done, plug the device back in and this should help to keep the computer keys as good as new and germ - free.

* A safe EPA Registered non-bleach product “Steriplex SD” has been proven safe to be utilized
on computer keyboards/keys. It is a C. diff. sporicidal one step cleaner and disinfectant.

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Isolation Precautions

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While visiting a loved one in a hospital or care facility, wearing a gown and gloves is very important.
Clostridium difficule (C. diff.) spores will spread throughout areas easily and by complying with
infection control hospital/facility policies you will keep your family member, friend,
yourself, and others safe. Please wash your hands after removing gown and gloves before leaving the room you are
visiting, and please wash your hands upon re-entering the room and before
new gloves and gown are worn.

Orange Banana Smoothie

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Orange - Banana Smoothie - Here’s to maintaining nutrition!!

1 medium banana, peeled, chunk pieces and frozen
3 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk (of your choice)
1 container (6 ounces) vanilla yogurt - again of your choice
And you may consider adding 1 or 2 scoops of Protein Powder - of your choice Preparation : Set milk in freezer 30 minutes before using. Combine all ingredients in a blender; blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into glass and enjoy!

“High Touch” areas for disinfecting

cleaning-suppliesDisinfect “High Touch” surfaces: Door knobs/handles, Door surfaces both sides, Bed rails(in facilities), Call lights, Over-bed tables/drawers, *Phones, Counter-tops of hard non-porous surfaces, Light switches, Furniture, Arms of chairs, Seats of Chairs, Window sills, Portable bedside commodes, medical equipment being used, diaper pails, toilets, faucets, handrails, sink, tub/shower, mirrors, floors of non-porous surfaces. (* For mobile phones check w/manufacturer before applying disinfectant to surfaces/screens*) Wearing gloves during cleaning is suggested, utilizing disposable cleaning clothes/towels recommended, cleaning cloth should not be reintroduced into a bleach solution after wiping down surfaces.

What is a Virus?

What is a virus? Viruses have no cellular structure and are obligate intracellular parasites. They can only multiply inside the living cells of animals, plants, or other microbes. Familiar viruses include herpes, Influenza, HIV, HBV, HCV, Varicella Cytomegalo virus, respiratory synciitial virus, rotovirus, and noro-like viruses. These viruses will not be eliminated by the use of antibiotics. Colds and some ear and most sinus infections are caused by viruses, not always bacteria. Bacteria cause illnesses like strep throat that are often treated successfully with antibiotics (CDC).

Taking antibiotics to treat a virus can make those drugs less effective when you and your family really need them. Limiting the usage of antibiotics will also help limit new cases of C. diff. infections.
* Please note that each individual case/diagnosis varies with each patient and the use of antibiotics for treatment will be determined by the healthcare professional and treat the diagnosis.

Hand Washing aka “Hand Hygiene Saves Lives”

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CDC’s Slogan: “Hand hygiene saves lives.” Hand hygiene is critical for all of us. It has been identified as the single most effective means of reducing the spread of infection worldwide. Researchers have reported that healthcare associated infections were reduced when hospital personnel washed their hands more frequently. Hand hygiene is a new term to describe hand washing and the hand disinfection process. We pick up “transient flora” when our hands touch objects in the environment. “Resident flora” are organisms that are normally found on the skin on our hands. Hand washing removes the transient bacteria, viruses and decreases the levels of resident flora on the hands decreasing the spreading of germs. By removing the transient flora by hand washing the healthcare associated infections (HAIs) rate decreases. Here’s to sharing the news with others about the importance of hand washing (hand hygiene) and stop giving germs a free ride.
“Here’s to everyone’s good health!”