Abstract

SANTOS, Kelvin Oliveira; MOBIN, Mitra; BORBA, Cintia de Moraes  and  NOLETO, Iraci de Melo Salmito. Isolation of fungi from dental radiographic equipment. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.59, n.3, pp. 411-416. ISSN 1981-8637.

Objectives To isolate fungi from radiographic equipment in dentist's offices in Teresina, Piaui, Brazil. Methods Eight intraoral and two panoramic X-ray instruments were analyzed. Samples were taken after routine clinical procedures with sterilized swabs followed by inoculation on Petri dishes containing either Sabourand dextrose agar supplemented with chloramphenicol, or BBLTM CHROMagarTM Candida (BD-Difco, New Jersey, USA). The samples were incubated at room temperature, or 37oC, so that filamentous fungi and yeasts, respectively, could develop. Results The results showed that the mean ratings of the radiographic Seventeen species of fungi were detected. The most frequent species were Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium cladosporioides and Cladosporium oxysporum. Additionally, there was significant prevalence of fungi on the surface of intraoral X-ray components as compared to extraoral X-ray components. Conclusion The species of fungi isolated from the surfaces of dental radiographic equipment in dentist's offices in Teresina, PI, are potentially pathogenic. These instruments may play a critical role as reservoirs or vectors for fungi. Moreover, they pose a risk of cross-infection to patients and dental staff. Consequently, it is critical to alert professionals in the dentistry area about the inherent risk in their activities and to establish training courses to encourage them to adopt biosafety procedures in order to reduce or eliminate these microorganisms.

Keywords : Contamination.; Dental equipment.; Exposure to biological agents.; Fungi.; X-Rays..