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Biomedical subjects

V A Merchant

Publications and source records attributed to V A Merchant.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

An update on the herpesviruses.

An increasingly significant cause of disease in the immunodeficient patient, herpesviruses continue to be a concern in dentistry. Today's dentist must be aware of infections caused by CMV and EBV as well as HSV and VZV. Human herpesviruses 6 and 7 are not yet associated with a particular oral disease, but 80 percent to 90 percent of patients can be expected to shed these viruses in their saliva. Most recently, a new herpesvirus, HHV-8, was postulated associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. An update of information related to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of herpesvirus infections is presented.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1994

Sixteen years of experience with sterilization monitoring.

Sterilization in the dental office should be monitored to ascertain proper sterilizer function. Biologic monitoring with calibrated preparations of bacterial spores is the preferred, as well as the only method that actually measures sterilization. A dental school-based sterilization monitoring service for dental practices was established in 1978 at the University of Detroit. This service has grown from 20 participating dental offices to more than 1,500. In 1993, 18,137 biologic monitoring tests were performed. The participants in the service primarily use autoclaves (70%) for heat sterilization, while unsaturated chemical-vapor sterilizers (20%) and dry-heat units (10%) are less common. This article describes the history of sterilization monitoring in dental practices from 1978 to the present through a dental school-based service.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1992

Microbial penetration of gloves following usage in routine dental procedures.

Unsterile polyvinyl, regular latex, and powder-free, modified latex examination gloves were evaluated following usage in routine dental procedures to assess their loss of integrity. Glove fingers were filled with a suspension of red-pigmented Serratia marcescens and drawn across the surface of tryptic soy agar plates. The appearance of red-pigmented Serratia colonies on the plates was used as an indication of glove defects. Unused, unwashed gloves taken at random from boxes served as controls. Of the gloves used in clinical procedures, 83.3% of the polyvinyl gloves, 35.0% of the regular latex gloves, and 7.5% of the powder-free, modified latex gloves allowed penetration of Serratia. Data thus suggest that advances in technology continue to develop a glove with more resistance than regular latex and vinyl gloves to routine clinical usage.

Colony Count, Microbial↗
PubMed1991

The scarlet letter.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Effectiveness of dental office instrument sterilization procedures.

To evaluate instrument sterilization procedures in Minnesota, biological indicators were used to monitor 406 sterilizers in 381 dental offices. Findings suggest a general improvement in instrument performance over that of a decade ago, but sterilization failure rates are still too high. Sterilizer operator errors are a major cause of sterilization failures. BIs are useful in monitoring sterilization performance only when sterilization procedures are performed consistently and competently by well-trained staff using adequately maintained equipment.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1991

Herpesviruses and other microorganisms of concern in dentistry.

Concern for transmission of microorganisms in dentistry extends beyond hepatitis B virus and HIV-1. The herpesviruses--HSV, VZV, EBV, HCMV, and HHV-6--cause persistent infections in most of the population and are shed in saliva. Seronegative or immunocompromised dental-care providers and patients are at greatest risk of infection although reinfections may occur in immunocompetent patients. Respiratory viral infections are frequently transmitted within the dental office among staff and between staff and patients. Although most of these infections are of little consequence, others may cause lost time from the office or, occasionally, debilitating, sometimes fatal, disease. The prevalence of infection with M. tuberculosis, previously on a downward trend, is increasing in association with the AIDS epidemic. The transmission of tubercle bacilli by way of aerosols exposes dental-care providers to possible risk of infection. Awareness of the diseases that can be caused by these agents, the ubiquitous nature of these agents, and the prevalence of asymptomatic infections serve as further reinforcements of the need to follow recommended infection control guidelines.

Dentists↗
PubMed1990

Continuing progress in infection control in U.S. dental schools.

A survey was mailed to the deans of all U.S. dental schools in November 1988 requesting information regarding infection control instruction and protocols within the school. Fifty-five of 59 surveys were returned. Compared to results of previous surveys, schools are paying increased attention to infection control and the application of recommended protocols. The paper contrasts the 1988 data with those of surveys conducted in 1982, 1986, and 1987, and highlights remaining obstacles to implementation of infection control programs within the dental school environment.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed1990

Controversies in infection control.

Dentistry has made great strides in infection control over the past 10 years. An effective asepsis program is part of "the standard of care" in dental practice as we approach the twenty-first century. Several areas of dental infection control are undergoing change as new information is obtained, thereby providing points for discussion and some controversy. An effective vaccine to protect against hepatitis B viral infection is available but has met with indifference on the part of many. This readily available protection should be obtained by all health care providers. Surface disinfection is another area of controversy. A variety of chemical agents with differing properties are available for use in dentistry. Many of these are effective as disinfectants but have limited cleansing action, and this must be considered in their application. The practice of prosthodontics also presents numerous opportunities for cross-contamination. The sterilization and disinfection of dental impressions, prostheses, appliances, and a variety of plastic and wooden items provide a challenge for future research as newer products and techniques are developed. Infection control has literally been placed in the hands of health professionals. We, our patients, and families will continue to benefit from our positive efforts in this area.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed1989

Dimensional stability of reversible hydrocolloid impressions immersed in selected disinfectant solutions.

Full-arch reversible hydrocolloid impressions of a dentoform arch (Columbia) containing an extracted first premolar prepared for a distal-occlusal inlay were immersed for 30 minutes in selected disinfectant solutions. The impressions were poured with die stone, and three cast inlays were fabricated on each die. The results of this procedure indicate that a 30-minute immersion of reversible hydrocolloid impressions in diluted solutions of iodophor, commercial hypochlorite, or 2% acidic glutaraldehyde does not adversely affect the dimensional stability of these impressions.

Colloids↗
PubMed1986

Dimensional stability of dental impressions after immersion disinfection.

Disinfection of dental impressions via short-term immersion in 0.5% or 1% sodium hypochlorite does not significantly affect the dimensional accuracy of the resultant casts. In addition, immersion in glutaraldehydes, povidone-iodine diluted in water, or halogenated phenol has no apparent effect on the dimensional stability of rubber impression materials. The results of this study support the use of immersion disinfectants for treatment of impressions for study models or removable dental appliances or prostheses. Coupled with the findings of other authors, the data suggest that such disinfection also would be suitable for rubber base and vinyl polysiloxane impressions for cast restorations. Given the need for infection control in the treatment of all dental patients, the results of this study support the recommendations of the American Dental Association for disinfection of dental impressions via immersion in an appropriate disinfectant solution.

Alginates↗