Malaria: Tool Shows which Kids at Greatest Risk

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[10/05/2013] Researchers at Michigan State University have identified a test that can determine which children with malaria are likely to develop cerebral malaria, a much more life-threatening form of the disease.Malaria: Tool Shows which Kids at Greatest Risk - Read more

Genetics: The Many Faces of the Bacterial Defense System

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[02/05/2013] Even bacteria have a kind of immune system they use to defend themselves against unwanted intruders – in their case, viruses. Scientists at the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig, Germany, were now able to show that this defense system is much more diverse than previously thought and that it comes in multiple versions.Genetics: The Many Faces of the Bacterial Defense System - Read more

Haiti: Cholera Mutations Could Lead to Severe Disease

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[17/04/2013] The cholera strain that transferred to Haiti in 2010 has multiple toxin gene mutations that may account for the severity of disease and is evolving to be more like a 1800s version of cholera, reports a new Northwestern University study.Haiti: Cholera Mutations Could Lead to Severe Disease - Read more

Hospital Hygiene: Large Sterilization Plant Against the Tiniest Danger

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[02/04/2013] Sterilization is among the most important aspects of hospital hygiene. This is why facilities have Central Sterilization Supply Departments (CSSD) and face the invisible dangers posed by viruses, spores and bacteria. Since October 2012, the Marienstift Hospital in Braunschweig fights the tiny culprits on a grand scale with its new CSSD (ZSVA in German).Hospital Hygiene: Large Sterilization Plant Against the Tiniest Danger - Read more

Hospitals: Fighting Pathogens with Modern Means

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[02/04/2013] Associations of medical professionals assume that each year about 730 000 patients suffer an infection connected to stationary or ambulatory treatment. Presumably 30 00 cases are fatal. Thus, the most important areas of work in a hospital are hygiene and infection prevention.Hospitals: Fighting Pathogens with Modern Means - Read more

Medical Textiles: “Most germs are spread through hand contact, not through textiles”

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[02/04/2013] Whether it’s implants, medical drape sheets or surgeons’ attire – medicine relies on textiles every day. Their main task is to protect patients and physicians from infection. Even though most germs are not transmitted through textiles, they have to meet hygiene requirements.Medical Textiles: “Most germs are spread through hand contact, not through textiles” - Read more

Flu: Predicting Hotspots for Future Outbreaks

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[18/03/2013] This year's unusually long and rocky flu season would be nothing compared to the pandemic that could occur if bird flu became highly contagious among humans, which is why researchers of the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) and their colleagues are creating new ways to predict where an outbreak could emerge.Flu: Predicting Hotspots for Future Outbreaks - Read more

Superbugs: Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Enhances Disinfection

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[03/01/2013] Infection control experts at The Johns Hopkins Hospital have found that a combination of robot-like devices that disperse a bleaching agent into the air and then detoxify the disinfecting chemical are highly effective at killing and preventing the spread of multiple-drug-resistant bacteria, or so-called hospital superbugs.Superbugs: Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Enhances Disinfection - Read more

Healthcare Workers: Feedback Helps to Clean Hands

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[24/10/2012] A major three-year trial led by researchers at the University College London, in partnership with the Health Protection Agency, has shown that giving one-to-one feedback to healthcare workers makes them twice as likely to clean their hands or use soap.Healthcare Workers: Feedback Helps to Clean Hands - Read more

Hospital Hygiene: “Hands are playing the most important role in conveying pathogens“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[23/10/2012] According to the German Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, BMG) there are around 600,000 hospital infections every year in Germany alone, which result in 15,000 deaths. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, 20 to 30 percent of the infections and deaths would be preventable by adhering to well-known rules of hygiene.Hospital Hygiene: “Hands are playing the most important role in conveying pathogens“ - Read more

Medical Textiles: Eliminating Infectious Bacteria

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[22/10/2012] Researchers of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) have improved the antimicrobial properties of medical textiles using an enzymatic pre-treatment combined with simultaneous deposition of nanoparticles and biopolymers under ultrasonic irradiation.Medical Textiles: Eliminating Infectious Bacteria - Read more

Hospital Facility Management: ”When Something Goes Wrong, a Human Life Is at Stake“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[03/09/2012] Bacteria control, hygiene regulations, fire prevention – a hospital facility manager deals with very different topics, duties and responsibilities. The goal behind every one of his/her efforts is a smooth hospital process – from a patient’s point of view as well as in terms of economic aspects.Hospital Facility Management: ”When Something Goes Wrong, a Human Life Is at Stake“ - Read more

Immune System: Protective Role of Skin Microbiota

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[27/07/2012] A research team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found that bacteria that normally live in the skin may help protect the body from infection. As the largest organ of the body, the skin represents a major site of interaction with microbes in the environment.Immune System: Protective Role of Skin Microbiota - Read more

Sepsis: Protein in Saliva for New Diagnostic Methods

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[01/06/2012] Blood poisoning is a serious problem in medical care. Research from Malmö University in Sweden now shows that the protein suPAR, which can be used for early detection of critical cases of sepsis, is found in saliva, which opens new potential for tracking diseases.Sepsis: Protein in Saliva for New Diagnostic Methods - Read more

Infections: New Discoveries About Severe Malaria

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[23/05/2012] International researchers have uncovered new knowledge related to host-parasite interaction in severe malaria, concerning how malaria parasites are able to bind to cells in the brain and cause cerebral malaria – the most lethal form of the disease.Infections: New Discoveries About Severe Malaria - Read more

Hygiene: Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Linked to Hospital's Decorative Fountain

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[11/01/2012] A 2010 outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Wisconsin has been linked to a decorative fountain in a hospital lobby, according to a study of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.Hygiene: Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Linked to Hospital's Decorative Fountain - Read more

Hospital Room Cleaning: New Disinfection Technique

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[12/12/2011] A Queen’s University infectious disease expert has collaborated in the development of a disinfection system that may change the way hospital rooms all over the world are cleaned as well as stop bed bug outbreaks in hotels and apartments.Hospital Room Cleaning: New Disinfection Technique - Read more

Hygiene: One in Six Mobile Phones Is Contaminated with Faecal Bacteria

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[17/10/2011] One in six mobile phones in Britain is contaminated with faecal matter, according to new research released ahead of Global Handwashing Day. Experts say the most likely reason for the potentially harmful bacteria festering on so many gadgets is people failing to wash their hands properly with soap after going to the toilet.Hygiene: One in Six Mobile Phones Is Contaminated with Faecal Bacteria - Read more

HIV and HPV: Earlier Circumcision May Be Effective Intervention

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[10/10/2011] According to Doctor Anna R. Giuliano, program leader in cancer epidemiology at Moffitt Cancer Centre in Tampa, and colleagues in the Netherlands, earlier circumcision of males in South Africa may be a positive step in slowing the spread of both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the human papillomavirus (HPV).HIV and HPV: Earlier Circumcision May Be Effective Intervention - Read more

EurSafety Health-net: "You can learn a lot in many different areas from each other"

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[01/09/2011] To be able to fight resistant hospital bacteria effectively and for the long term, it is getting more and more important to collaborate throughout Europe and internationally with different stakeholders of medical facilities. Now one European project is making this its primary goal. The German-Dutch collaboration is meant to strengthen patient safety and protection against infections.EurSafety Health-net: "You can learn a lot in many different areas from each other" - Read more

Hygiene in Hospitals - "Germ-free zone"

Avoiding dangerous infections and making sure, that patients and staff in the hospital get better or stay healthy - that is the job of hygiene experts who are responsible for this sensitive task in the hospital. Partly, just little things have to be taken into account, but sometimes sophisticated equipment is needed.Hygiene in Hospitals - "Germ-free zone" - Read more

Attack of the microorganisms: Medical Science and Technology against hospital-acquired Infections

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[01/09/2011] Time and again it sweeps through the media and we hear of serious diseases, like for instance MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), which attack patients in hospitals. Needless to say these diseases happen, but they have long ago come to the forefront of hygiene experts, who fight with a vengeance to prevent essentially “man-made” infections in clinics and hospital facilities.Attack of the microorganisms: Medical Science and Technology against hospital-acquired Infections - Read more

Hospital Bacteria: Outbreak Linked to Nasal Spray

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[25/07/2011] Infection control researchers investigating a rare bacterial outbreak of Burholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) identified contaminated nasal spray as the root cause of the infections, leading to a national recall of the product.Hospital Bacteria: Outbreak Linked to Nasal Spray - Read more

Dementia: Research for Oral Hygiene in Nursing Homes

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[17/05/2011] People with dementia may soon have improved oral hygiene because of a National Institutes of Health 1.4 million dollars, four-year grant to an assistant professor of nursing, Penn State for a new study.Dementia: Research for Oral Hygiene in Nursing Homes - Read more

Hospital Hygiene: “Optimum conditions require sufficient and qualified personnel“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[22/03/2011] Many hospital stays go smoothly. Then suddenly complications arise and the patient experiences strange symptoms. The problem is well-known: often this is due to an infection with dangerous, antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A frequent cause is lack of hygiene. Thousands of patients all over the world contract these so-called nosocomial infections. How can this development be stopped?Hospital Hygiene: “Optimum conditions require sufficient and qualified personnel“ - Read more

Children's Skin Wounds: Careful Cleaning Is Key to Healing

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[22/02/2011] When it comes to curing skin infected with the antibiotic-resistant bacterium MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), timely and proper wound cleaning and draining may be more important than the choice of antibiotic.Children's Skin Wounds: Careful Cleaning Is Key to Healing - Read more

A Journey into Adventure: A ship’s surgeon in the 17th century

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[03/01/2011] Discovering foreign countries, getting to know new civilizations. What’s possible for many today, in the 17th century was an adventure few dared to embark on. Back then, moving from one continent to another was only possible by ship. But journeys that often lasted many months were often also very perilous – and generally no trained physicians were on board the ship. A Journey into Adventure: A ship’s surgeon in the 17th century - Read more

Hygiene: When Too Much Cleanliness Makes People Sick

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[29/11/2010] Young people who are overexposed to antibacterial soaps containing triclosan may suffer more allergies. The exposure to higher levels of Bisphenol A among adults may negatively influence the immune system, a new University of Michigan School of Public Health study suggests.Hygiene: When Too Much Cleanliness Makes People Sick - Read more

Mechanism Uncovered: Salmonella Virulence and Drug Susceptibility

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[30/07/2010] Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism in Salmonella that affects its virulence and its susceptibility to antibiotics by changing its production of proteins in an unheard of manner. Evidence shows similar mechanism of protein modification occurs in all five kingdoms of life.Mechanism Uncovered: Salmonella Virulence and Drug Susceptibility - Read more

Fungus: Athlete's Foot in the Laundry Basket

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[30/03/2010] Lower washing temperatures in domestic washing machines are not sufficient to ensure the reliable and effective removal of skin fungi, researchers report.Fungus: Athlete's Foot in the Laundry Basket - Read more

Disinfection: “Plasma Makes Bacteria Cell Walls Burst“

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[22/03/2010] Never wash without using soap – this is a slogan that surgeons should keep in mind at work. Hygiene of the future may look quite differently though, according to recent physicist’s findings. Disinfection: “Plasma Makes Bacteria Cell Walls Burst“ - Read more

Influenza: Face Masks and Hand Hygiene Can Help Limit Spread

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[17/02/2010] Ordinary face masks and hand hygiene can effectively reduce the transmission of influenza-like illness during flu season.Influenza: Face Masks and Hand Hygiene Can Help Limit Spread - Read more

Hygiene: Killing Bacteria with Visible Light

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[21/01/2010] In the battle against bacteria, researchers have developed a powerful new weapon – an enhanced photocatalytic disinfection process that uses visible light to destroy harmful bacteria and viruses, even in the dark.Hygiene: Killing Bacteria with Visible Light - Read more

Infection Prevention: Sharing a Hospital Room Increases Risk of 'Super Bugs'

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[06/01/2010] Staying in a multi-bed hospital room dramatically increases the risk of acquiring a serious infectious disease, researchers have discovered.Infection Prevention: Sharing a Hospital Room Increases Risk of 'Super Bugs' - Read more

Hygiene: Sensor Alerts Health-Care Workers of Need to Wash Hands

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[21/09/2009] A wireless, credit-card-sized sensor that can detect whether health care workers have properly washed their hands is being studied at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center. Hygiene: Sensor Alerts Health-Care Workers of Need to Wash Hands - Read more

Nanotechnology: Self-healing Surfaces

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[26/08/2009] Engineers are working on transferring the self-healing effect of skin to materials. The idea behind this is to introduce evenly distributed fluid-filled capsules into the electroplated layer – rather like raisins in a cake.Nanotechnology: Self-healing Surfaces - Read more

Preventing Allergy: Cow Dung Makes the Difference

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[01/07/2009] In spring and summer, many people suffer from allergies. They often take drugs to alleviate the symptoms. There may be better help for it, yet, as researchers have found special bacteria in cowsheds which are able to immunize children against hay fever and asthma. Preventing Allergy: Cow Dung Makes the Difference - Read more

Sterilisation: Measuring Imploding Bubbles

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[16/04/2009] Researchers have developed a sensor which helps hospitals ensure that their instruments are properly disinfected before they are used on patients.Sterilisation: Measuring Imploding Bubbles - Read more

Hygiene: Low-Cost Method for Monitoring Developed

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[06/04/2009] Scientists have created a new low-cost, green technology for automatically tracking the use of hand hygiene dispensers before healthcare workers enter and after they exit patient rooms.Hygiene: Low-Cost Method for Monitoring Developed - Read more

Hospital: Respiratory Risk From Cleaning Fluids

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[30/03/2009] Cleaning fluids used in hospitals may pose a health risk to both staff and patients. A pilot study has found that potentially hazardous chemicals are contained in a selection of agents used in several different hospitals.Hospital: Respiratory Risk From Cleaning Fluids - Read more

Dialysis: Anti-microbial Catheter Cuts Infection Risk

( Source: MEDICA.de )

[26/03/2009] Medical experts have shown that an innovative anti-microbial catheter could vastly improve treatment and the quality of life for many community-based dialysis patients. Dialysis: Anti-microbial Catheter Cuts Infection Risk - Read more