Steam Sterilization Monitoring: Bionova Biological Bundle

BT224 biological indicator


Bionova BT224 is an ultra-rapid self-contained biological indicator with fluorescence technology for steam sterilization monitoring. It can monitor steam sterilization processes and obtain results in less than 20 minutes. It is a product of unprecedented quality due to several factors: the raw material it is made of; the state-of-the-art technology it features; the production processes in which this product is used; and the strict quality controls it undergoes for its release. Additionally, Bionova BT224 is a biological indicator approved by the most prestigious regulatory agencies around the world, such as the USA FDA, China CDC, and TFDA (Taiwan)

MiniBio Auto-reader


By using any Terragene Bionova Auto-readers you can obtain the result of this biological indicator. Bionova MiniBio Auto-reader is the ideal choice for reading this ultra-fast indicator due to its versatility, size, and functionality. It allows the incubation and reading of the indicator by a fluorescence reading system specially developed for Bionova biological indicators. Among its unique features, the following stand out: capability of reading any Bionova biological indicator, including for monitoring any other sterilization process (steam, H2O2, EtO, and formaldehyde), triple-detector radial reading technology, and a built-in thermal printer to facilitate the physical recording of all the results

Bionova Software


This system becomes fully established when used together with the Bionova Software. This software carries out the traceability of all the results obtained through the BT224/MiniBio combination (in addition to reading the indicator and to correlate it to the sterilization cycles). Besides coordinating the storage of data, it allows the creation of statistics associated with them, studies of the sterilizer’s performance, and reports that can be shared with different members of the institution.

The Bionova bundle (BT224, MiniBio, and traceability software) represents the most complete, fast, adequate, and precise control for monitoring steam sterilization in health care. We continue to develop science to save lives and bring well-being to communities.

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Integral Monitoring System for Washing Processes

Splat – Cleaning indicator


Splat is a specially designed product line of test soils for controlling medical material washing procedures within sterilization departments. These indicators are used together with different types of reusable stainless steel holders specifically designed to monitor washer-disinfector or ultrasonic washing machines. This unique feature allows using the same indicator strip with different holders, depending on the washing machine type (and load) to be monitored. The indicator is placed inside the holder together with the load, and the final accepted result is obtained when the ink is totally removed from the strip.

Pro1 Micro – Protein quantification system


It is essential to go beyond the visual examination of the material after the washing cycle to ensure that the executed process was efficient. Different international standards like ISO 15883 and HTM01-01 recommend using a total quantification system for residual proteins that allows (from a random instrument) testing the exact remaining amount and determine if it is possible to release the entire load, taking into account the final result obtained. Such is the case of ChemDye Pro1 Micro, a device developed by Terragene in a useful pen format with a swab that consists of a reactive solution to specifically react with the remaining proteins and provide an exact measurement using the Bionova MiniPro Auto-reader.

MiniPro Auto-reader


This auto-reader allows not only to obtain a precise quantitative result through a printed ticket but also to get a complete traceability system for the hygiene monitoring process when working together with Bionova traceability software. The perfect analysis system is achieved when using Pro1Micro and MiniPro together with Bionova’s software: reading, generation of the results, constant monitoring of the washing machines tested, and report generation. This unique worldwide monitoring system has been developed using the same technology and quality bases present in Bionova’s biological indicators, which allows transferring to the washing processes the biological monitoring technology used for sterilization.

Terragene is today the only company that has managed to bring the washing monitoring process to the same level of quality and excellence as an ultra-fast biological indicator used in sterilization monitoring processes. We are taking biotechnology to another level and applying it to health in a way never seen before.

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WHAT ARE PRIONS?

Over the past few years, the infection control field has been substantially transformed because of the emergence of prions, infectious agents that have revolutionized paradigms, leading to changes in washing, hygiene, disinfection and sterilization processes.

In particular, what are prions? Prion is an English acronym derived from the words “protein” and “infection”, and was coined in 1982 by Stanley B. Prusiner. The mode of action of these infectious protein particles is through the induction of a conformational change in a natural protein of the organism, PrPc, thus altering its functionality and originating an altered protein, called PrPSc, which is able to form aggregates. Prions are responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, a group of degenerative neurological diseases such as scrapie, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy, also known as “mad cow disease.”

These infectious protein particles are propagated by the transmission of anomalous proteins with incorrect folding. When a prion manages to penetrate a healthy organism, it acts on the normal form of the same type of protein existing in the organism, modifying it and making it a prion. These newly formed prions can convert more proteins, causing a chain reaction that produces large amounts of the prion protein. The infected organism difficulties rely in the fact that prions do not cause a normal immune response, since it is a normal protein of the body, so it is not recognized as pathogenic.

In the recent years, this has caused prions to become the focus of study of multiple laboratories around the world and this has spread to the scientific field dedicated to infection control, especially in neurology and reprocessing of material and instruments dedicated to this health´s sector.

Sources:

https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prion

https://www.cdc.gov/prions/index.html

https://www.prionalliance.org/2013/12/02/what-are-human-prion-diseases/

https://www.prionalliance.org/2013/11/26/what-are-prions/


Imagen:


https://academic.pgcc.edu/~kroberts/Lecture/Chapter%2013/prions.html

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2019-NCOV #CORONAVIRUS: WHAT IS AND HOW TO PREVENT IT

Coronavirus refers to a wide family of viruses some of which affect humans and cause a great variety of illness. 2019-nCoV is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan (China) in the year 2019. The symptoms of virus infections range from mild to severe and ocasionally could be fatal. Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions are more prone to become severely ill due to Coronavirus infection [1].

2019-nCov can be transmitted from person to person after close contact with an infected patient. The spread is primarily through respiratory droplets generated when a person coughs, sneezes, or through saliva droplets or nose discharge.

Prevention is the first barrier to avoid the spreading of the virus. Washing hands frequently, practice respiratory hygiene, maintain at least 1 meter between individuals, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; are effective personal measures. Room disinfection is also an important prevention action and hydrogen peroxide has long been used as a disinfectant against viruses, yeasts and bacterial spores. Assuring a proper disinfection process is thus essential [2-4].

At Terragene® we have developed a family of products to assess the efficiency of airborne & surface disinfection through hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The line is composed of two different Chemical Indicators (ChemSurf: Aerosol and Vapor) and a Biological Indicator (BioSurf). ChemSurf allows the correct monitoring of all critical parameters of the process: time, temperature and H2O2 concentration. Its special 3D design concedes the possibility to evaluate the disinfection process in surfaces with different spatial dispositions. BioSurf is the first fluorescence-based super rapid biological indicator in the market and is fully compatible with all Bionova® Fluorescence Automatic Readers and Bionova® Traceability Software.

References:

[1] World Health Organization (WHO) https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses


[2] Andersen, B. M., Rasch, M., Hochlin, K., Jensen, F. H., Wismar, P., & Fredriksen, J. E. (2006). Decontamination of rooms, medical equipment and ambulances using an aerosol of hydrogen peroxide disinfectant. Journal of Hospital Infection, 62(2), 149-155.


[3] Pottage, T., Richardson, C., Parks, S., Walker, J. T., & Bennett, A. M. (2010). Evaluation of hydrogen peroxide gaseous disinfection systems to decontaminate viruses. Journal of Hospital Infection, 74(1), 55-61.


[4] Heckert, R. A., Best, M., Jordan, L. T., Dulac, G. C., Eddington, D. L., & Sterritt, W. G. (1997). Efficacy of vaporized hydrogen peroxide against exotic animal viruses. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 63(10), 3916-3918.

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