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Bioscience products
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Endotoxins In Hospitals
By Daniel Y. C. Fung, Ph.D.
Professor of Food Science,
Kansas State University
Pyrogens, endotoxins from gram-negative bacteria cell
walls, are harmful in environments, such as hospitals and health care units.
In a study of the occurrence of endotoxins in microbiological laboratories
and general environments using the SAS Microbial Air Sampler, we found
positive reactions of endotoxins using the limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL)
test of a limited number of air samples. In fact, the LAL test was so
sensitive that even our water sup-ply tested positive and we had to purchase
a “pyrogen free” buffer to do the experiments.
This is an exciting area of research that deserves
further exploration. To complete the test, prepare pyrogen-free agar in the
plate and run the plate through the SAS Microbial Air Sampler. Remove the
agar, make a dilution and then perform the LAL test. The test is less than
one hour.
With the SAS Microbial Air Sampler, more such
innovative applications can be explored in both teaching and applied
microbiology.
Editor’s Note: Another new study, “Advantages and
Limitations of a Surface Air System Based Sampler for Monitoring and
Characterizing Bio-aerosols” by Dr. Suresh D. Pillai, which demonstrates the
use of SAS in conjunction with PCR analysis, is available through
Bioscience.
From Bioscience World,
Autumn 2001
For More Information Contact:
Bioscience International
11607 Magruder Lane, Rockville MD 20852-4365
Tel: 301-230-0072
FAX: 301-230-1418
Internet: BioInfo@Biosci-Intl.com
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