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C D Nicol

Publications and source records attributed to C D Nicol.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Lignocaine spray applicators are a potential source of cross-infection in the anaesthetic room.

Ten percent lignocaine spray is in widespread clinical use as a means of suppressing responses to tracheal intubation. It is sprayed from a multidose container into the glottis and on to the vocal cords through an applicator nozzle, which may be used on successive patients. We have investigated the likelihood of the contamination of these nozzles, with patients' mouth flora. Spray applicators from four of the 20 cases investigated showed contamination with potential bacterial pathogens. We therefore recommend that lignocaine spray should not be applied to successive patients using the same applicator nozzle.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Multipoint identification of Enterobacteriaceae: report of the British Society for Microbial Technology collaborative study.

AIMS: To evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of multipoint identification schemes in a multicentre trial. METHODS: Forty two strains of Enterobacteriaceae were distributed to 22 laboratories for identification by routine multipoint methods. Analysis of results enabled inter- and intralaboratory reproducibility of a variety of tests, and the ability of laboratories to identify individual organisms to be determined. RESULTS: Interlaboratory reproducibility of most of the biochemical tests was acceptable. The least reproducible tests, both within and between laboratories, were citrate utilisation, production of urease and beta galactosidase, detection of motility, and decarboxylation of lysine and ornithine. Inconsistent results for these tests were often associated with misidentified strains. Most laboratories performed identifications satisfactorily. Most isolates (72.1%) were identified correctly to species level; 9.6% were incorrectly identified, and 6.4% could not be identified at all. The most difficult organisms to identify were Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Hafnia alvei and Aeromonas hydrophila. Strains of Enterobacter, Serratia sp, and Providencia sp were difficult to speciate. Several laboratories could not identify organisms exhibiting at least one atypical biochemical reaction. CONCLUSION: This study emphasises the need for quality control of media and reagents for multipoint identification of Gram negative enteric bacilli.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1991

Typing of Streptococcus pyogenes by pyrolysis mass spectrometry.

Strains of Streptococcus pyogenes from an outbreak in an oncology ward (13) and routine isolates from sporadic cases (6) were examined blind by pyrolysis mass spectrometry (Py-MS), extending previous work on epidemiological typing. This outbreak appeared more complex than one reported previously, but Py-MS and conventional typing results were in complete agreement. The results confirm the potential of Py-MS as a rapid method for identification at strain level in studies of cross infection.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1986

Increased detection of polymicrobial septicaemia by repeat subculture.

Repeated subcultures were performed on 572 blood cultures that had yielded single significant organisms and 55 from which contaminants had grown. This yielded 83 more isolates from 71 patients. Only one of the contaminated blood cultures yielded a further significant isolate. Additional antibiotic therapy was indicated in only six patients. Although repeated subculture increased the detection of additional isolates, it did not help in the management of most patients.

Adult↗