Gabriele Messina - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Gabriele Messina

American Journal of Infection Control, Sep 1, 2011

Background Feet can suffer of several pathologies due to bacteria/fungal infections. Discomfort c... more Background Feet can suffer of several pathologies due to bacteria/fungal infections. Discomfort can be determinate by uncomfortable/tight shoes which can injure the feet and by the increase of bacteria/fungi due a reduction of the escape of the sweat into the air. Good hygiene is the first step in maintaining the feet in good health. While socks can easily be washed and disinfected, shoes, in many case, can not. For this reason procedures and substances which can hygienize the inner part of the shoes are a relevant aspect of primary prevention against foot infections and from strong odor.The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a hygienic compound for shoes in the reduction of bacteria/fungi contamination. Methods This is an ongoing study in which few subjects are treating for 5 consecutive days one of their shoes, with a natural guar compound for reducing the load of bacteria, and did not treat the other shoes.An overall of 40 samples per shoe have been collected and investigations have been conducted on overall bacteria count at 22 and 36 C°, and for Staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA), Enterococci (Ent), Escherichia Coli (EC), and fungi. The Wilcoxon matched pair test was used to assess statistical differences (p<0.05) between the treated/not treated shoes. Results Early results showed a decrease of the bacteria/yeasts and molds counts in the treated shoes compared to the untreated ones in all the comparisons. Reduction was statistical significant for overall bacteria count at 22 C°(p=0.043), 36 C°(p=0.043) and for Coliforms (p=0.0422). Reduction was obtained also on molds (p=0.0782), ranging from 3 to 0 Colony Forming Unit (CFU)\0.1ml for the treated shoes versus 42 to 13 CFU\0.1ml, on the untreated ones. EC decreased (p=0.0897), the treated shoes had a maximum of 2 CFU\0.1ml versus a mean of 18 CFU\0.1ml on the untreated shoes. PA was not found in any shoes. Conclusion The intervention can reinforce personal hygiene in reducing bacteria/fungi contamination. It could be useful i)to study a larger population to obtain more stable results, ii)to verify the possible advantages on people which are at higher risk/consequences of feet infection, such diabetes patients and iii)to estimate the cost/benefits of such intervention. Keywords: shoes, contaminatio

European journal of public health, Oct 20, 2017

mHealth interventions (e.g. MINISTOP) show promising results in aiding young children to change u... more mHealth interventions (e.g. MINISTOP) show promising results in aiding young children to change unhealthy behaviors. mHealth interventions have the potential to be implemented into child healthcare at a low cost.

European journal of public health, Nov 1, 2016

Journal of Hospital Infection, Feb 1, 2017

European journal of public health, Oct 1, 2013

3rd vaccine dose. In patients vaccinated >180 days before surgery, the fraction of those presenti... more 3rd vaccine dose. In patients vaccinated >180 days before surgery, the fraction of those presenting anti-HBs titer <10.1 mIU/ml was significantly (p = 0.0005) higher in those vaccinated with a 2-dose regimen compared to vaccinated with 3 doses. Conclusions 1. The preoperative vaccination policy seems to be an effective public health tool to limit the spread of the epidemic. 2. However, a 2-dose vaccination schedule does not protect a significant fraction of operated patients against HBV infection, especially those vaccinated less than 2 months before surgery. Key message Current recommendations regarding a preoperative 2-dose vaccination schedule in Poland should be revised.

British journal of medicine and medical research, Jan 10, 2014

This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. Author GM conceived and designed ... more This work was carried out in collaboration between all authors. Author GM conceived and designed the study, acquired data, carried out the data analysis, drafted the article, did critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. Author EC carried out the data analysis, collaborated in drafting the article. Author SB conceived and designed the study, collaborated in drafting acquired the article. Author CR acquired data, collaborated in drafting the article. Author NN conceived and designed the study, did critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. Author LM conceived and designed the study, collaborated in drafting the article. Author LT conceived and designed the study, collaborated in drafting the article.

Journal of Infection and Public Health, Nov 1, 2018

Background: The role of environmental cleaning as an effective measure to contain the diffusion o... more Background: The role of environmental cleaning as an effective measure to contain the diffusion of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) has already been demonstrated. Among medical devices, neonatal incubators have been recognized as a source of pathogens involved in the spread of HAIs. Aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of a disinfection protocol for neonatal incubators. Methods: The cross sectional study took place in the "Neonatal Pediatric Unit" of the Teaching Hospital of Siena: twenty incubators, used for critical newborns, were swabbed in 13 sampling points before and after the implementation of the disinfection protocol. Sanitation procedures were performed by trained staff, implementing the product Umonium 38 ® Neutralis as disinfectant. Different culture media for the identification of the microbial contamination were adopted: plates were incubated for the proper time and the results were referred to Colony Forming Units (CFUs)/swab per point. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. It was also evaluated the 95% confidence interval (C.I.) of the mean and the percentage of CFUs reduction by the bootstrap bias corrected and accelerated resampling method. Results: Matched points analyzed were 313. The average CFUs percentage of reduction was 93.5% [C.I. 90.6-95.9%]: it was higher, 97.0% [C.I. 94.1-99.1%], in points placed inside the incubators structure compared to the 88.4% [C.I. 83.6-93.0%] obtained outside. Conclusion: The disinfection protocol achieved good results. Routine surveillance and supervision of the various aspects of the disinfection processes (procedures, staff and disinfectants) could guarantee a safe environment during the first days of babies' life, avoiding harmful conditions for the newborns' health.

Journal of Hospital Administration, Apr 17, 2013

Background: Computers and telephones are ubiquitous in the hospital and have been shown to be con... more Background: Computers and telephones are ubiquitous in the hospital and have been shown to be contaminated with potentially pathogenic microorganism. The aim of the study was to determine microbial contamination on computer keyboards and telephone handsets and the effectiveness of a disinfecting technique (DT). Methods: A matched cross-over study, involving an overall of 50 computer keyboards and 50 telephone handsets, was conducted in three hospitals, located in the Local Health Area of Siena (Italy) before and after the use of an innovative DT consisting of a malleable-elastic compound, containing ethanol, which adheres to surfaces, removes dirt and disinfects. Total bacterial count was evaluated and several types of bacteria and fungi were researched pre-and post-use of the DT. Non parametric tests: Wilcoxon signed rank and Mann Whitney, were used, when appropriate. Results: The DT was effective in disinfecting the objects. In fact, Colony-Forming Units (CFUs) decreased to zero in most comparisons. All the comparisons showed significant differences (p<0.001) after the DT, both for computer keyboards and telephone handsets. The only exception was found for molds in telephones (p=0.062). Keyboards emerged to be dirtier than telephones handsets (p<0.05) for several types of bacteria. Conclusions: The data suggest that microbial contamination of keyboards and telephones is considerable. These objects can be a vehicle for Health Care-Associated Infections HAIs and their disinfection should not be neglected. The DT showed to be appropriate for the disinfecting purpose.

BioMed Research International, 2013

Medical devices, such as stethoscopes, and other objects found in hospital, such as computer keyb... more Medical devices, such as stethoscopes, and other objects found in hospital, such as computer keyboards and telephone handsets, may be reservoirs of bacteria for healthcare-associated infections. In this cross-over study involving an Italian teaching hospital we evaluated microbial contamination (total bacterial count (TBC) at 36 ∘ C/22 ∘ C, Staphylococcus spp., moulds, Enterococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., E. coli, total coliform bacteria, Acinetobacter spp., and Clostridium difficile) of these devices before and after cleaning and differences in contamination between hospital units and between stethoscopes and keyboards plus handsets. We analysed 37 telephone handsets, 27 computer keyboards, and 35 stethoscopes, comparing their contamination in four hospital units. Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney tests were used. Before cleaning, many samples were positive for Staphylococcus spp. and coliforms. After cleaning, CFUs decreased to zero in most comparisons. The first aid unit had the highest and intensive care the lowest contamination (< 0.01). Keyboards and handsets had higher TBC at 22 ∘ C (= 0.046) and mould contamination (= 0.002) than stethoscopes. Healthcare professionals should disinfect stethoscopes and other possible sources of bacterial healthcare-associated infections. The cleaning technique used was effective in reducing bacterial contamination. Units with high patient turnover, such as first aid, should practise stricter hygiene.

European journal of public health, Oct 1, 2014

Journal of Athletic Training, Feb 1, 2015

Context: Footwear should be designed to avoid trauma and injury to the skin of the feet that can ... more Context: Footwear should be designed to avoid trauma and injury to the skin of the feet that can favor bacterial and fungal infections. Procedures and substances for sanitizing the interior of shoes are uncommon but are important aspects of primary prevention against foot infections and unpleasant odor. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a sanitizing technique for reducing bacterial and fungal contamination of footwear. Design: Crossover study. Setting: Mens Sana basketball team. Patients or Other Participants: Twenty-seven male athletes and 4 coaches (62 shoes). Intervention(s): The experimental protocol required a first sample (swab), 1/shoe, at time 0 from inside the shoes of all athletes before the sanitizing technique began and a second sample at time 1, after about 4 weeks, April 2012 to May 2012, of daily use of the sanitizing technique. Main Outcome Measure(s): The differences before and after use of the sanitizing technique for total bacterial count at 368C and 228C for Staphylococcus spp, yeasts, molds, Enterococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, Escherichia coli, and total coliform bacteria were evaluated. Results: Before use of the sanitizing technique, the total bacterial counts at 368C and 228C and for Staphylococcus spp were greater by a factor of 5.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] ¼ 3.42, 9.84), 5.84 (95% CI ¼ 3.45, 9.78), and 4.78 (95% CI ¼ 2.84, 8.03), respectively. All the other comparisons showed a reduction in microbial loads, whereas E coli and coliforms were no longer detected. No statistically significant decrease in yeasts (P ¼ .0841) or molds (P ¼ .6913) was recorded probably because of low contamination. Conclusions: The sanitizing technique significantly reduced the bacterial presence in athletes' shoes.

American Journal of Infection Control, 2018