Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene
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As occupational exposure to anaesthetic gases is one of the main risks for operating theatre staff an environmental monitoring campaign was conducted in order to evaluate the degree of pollution by nitrous oxide (N2O) in the operating theatres of some hospital facilities in Liguria. ⋯ Training personnel in the correct management of the operating theatre and of anaesthesia equipment, and ensuring the availability of an adequate air-conditioning system enable the risk of exposure to nitrous oxide to be minimised. This can be achieved through a concerted effort on the part of all involved, in accordance with the concept of ongoing improvement in healthcare services.
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Two real time one-step RT-PCR assays were developed for simultaneous detection and typing of influenza A and B viruses and detection of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). As regard influenza, primers were designed to amplify specific sequences of gene M of A/H1N1, A/H3N2, A/H5N1, A/H7N7 and A/H9N2 viruses and of gene NP of type B viruses belonging both Yamagata and Victoria lineage. Specificity, analytical and clinical sensitivity, dynamic range, linearity of the new assays were evaluated. ⋯ The new assays provide accurate and sensitive diagnosis of influenza and RSV infection and they represent a sensitive tool for virological surveillance and management of patient with ILI.