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Infection is the most common cause of death in acute pancreatitis. Earlier studies have demonstrated that early enteral nutrition decreases microbial translocation, upregulates the immune function and reduces septic complications and mortality. Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp) has been shown to be effective in reducing egress of endotoxin and microbial strain that showed very high adherence power to gut mucosa. We adopted a model of acute pancreatitis induced by isolation and ligation of biliopancreatic duct in adult Lewis rats. Three groups were studied: A. control group (sham operation); B. induced pancreatitis, no further treatment; C. Induced pancreatitis + gavage with 5 ml/day of a suspension of Lp 299 v in a dose of 0.5-1.0 x 10(9)/ml during 4 days before and 4 days after induction of pancreatitis. All animals were sacrificed after 96 hours. Histological studies and microbiological analyses were performed. Forty out of 55 animals showed signs of severe pancreatitis on sacrifice after 96 hours. Only these animals were further studied. In group A, we found only 1/20 bacteria in mesenteric nodes (MN). Pathogenic microrganisms were found in the non-treated group in MN in 14/20 and in the pancreatic tissue in 10/20. In contrast, when kept on an umbrella of Lp 299 v, only 4/20 animals demonstrated growth of enteric bacteria in MN and 3/20 in pancreatic tissue. All of these results showed a significant reduction of infection in the treated groups. In our model, Lp 299 v is effective in preventing microbial translocation in experimental pancreatitis. Treatment with probiotic bacteria, such as Lactobacillus spp, seems to be a promising alternative as problems with antibiotic-resistant bacteria seem to accumulate.

Since resorbable membranes have been introduced their resorption time has been always an important topic of discussion. The current literature does not cover very accurately the contributing factors associated with this biologic process in the oral cavity. The clinical experience shows that the influence of saliva may be an important factor during the resorption of synthetic resorbable membranes. Six experiments are described in this article in which four synthetic resorbable membranes are tested (Vicryl periodontal mesh, Vicryl collagene, Guidor and Resolut). The membranes are plated in Petri dishes precoated with Agar in contact with saliva. Experiment number 1 and 2 demonstrated that saline solution and Agar do not alter the resorption time of the membranes. Experiment 3 and 4 showed that a dilution of saliva to 1:10 and a non diluted saliva accelerate their resorption time of two of the tested membranes. The Vicryl periodontal mesh and the Vicryl collagene disappeared respectively after 7 and 9 days of contact with the not diluted saliva and after 10 and 12 days of contact with the 1:10 diluted saliva. The experiment 5 and 6 indicated that both salivas (diluted and not diluted) deprived of bacteria do not alter the resorption time of the membranes. In conclusion the pattern of resorption of the synthetic membranes, in this in vitro study, is recognized in the contact between the membrane and the bacterial enzymes present in saliva, and in the mechanical structure of the membrane design.

A microbiological analysis of the environment after dental work is presented in this paper. Detection of oral streptococci in the air is used as an index of the presence of salivary aerosol in consequence of the use of dental tools at high spin. This salivary aerosol may be considered a very important cause for the transmission of infectious diseases in the dental surgery. The real efficacy of a tool for the production of a dry aerosol of phenols or clorexidine with the purpose of environmental disinfection, is evaluated. Among possible parameters has been considered both the spray ability of the tool and the bactericidal activity of the aerosol at variable length from the source. Data here presented demonstrate the real utility of such an instrument for the disinfection of the dental surgery to be applied daily at the end of the work, not only in reducing environment microbial counts but also in totally eliminating salivary microorganisms.