Kaoru Mitsuya

The Incidence of Isolation of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strains from Skin Infections during the Past Three Years (1989–1991)

We did a statistical study of 294 strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from skin infections during the period from January of 1989 to December of 1991 in the Department of Dermatology, Kansai Medical University Hospital. We especially examined methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from the point of view of incidence, variety of skin infections with MRSA, coagulase type, phase type, and resistance against antimicrobial agents. The frequency of isolation of MRSA has been increasing. In 1991, the proportion of MRSA isolates among all S. aureus strains isolated from skin infections was 41.5%. MRSA was isolated most often from infectious decubitus. Coagulase type II and phage group NT (not typable) MRSA were most frequently isolated. The resistance of MRSA to OFLX and IMP/CS had remarkably increased. Notably, the resistance to MINO was low before 1991.

Comprehensive Analysis of 28 Patients with Latex Allergy and Prevalence of Latex Sensitization among Hospital Personnel

Recently anaphylactic shock caused by latex gloves and medical instruments has been discussed as an important problem in surgical operations. Patients with contact urticaria or anaphylaxis due to natural rubber latex were first reported in Japan in 1993, and the number of cases is gradually increasing. In the present study, we analyzed 28 patients examined in our clinic from 1993 to 1998. The diagnosis of latex allergy was made on the basis of clinical history, latex specific IgE antibody, skin test, and use test. The 3 male and 25 female patients included 20 nurses, 4 doctors, 2 housewives, one animal hospital employee, and one worker in a senile rehabilitation center. The majority were health care workers. Contact urticaria from rubber gloves was the most common clinical symptom. Some of the patients developed severe attacks of anaphylaxis. During the period from 1995 to 1997, we also performed a questionnaire study and a serum examination of latex specific IgE antibody among the personnel of our university hospital. The screening test for the antibody was more reliable than our questionnaire study in detecting latex‐sensitive persons. The prevalence of latex allergy was found to be 4.6%. This indicates that not only dermatologists but also all hospital workers should be aware of this type of allergy.

An Evaluation, Using Computerized Image Analysis, of Antimicrobial Efficacy of an Automatic Hand Washing Machine with Ultrasonic Wave Spraying

We studied the antimicrobial efficacy of hand washing with a quick‐dry hand washing machine [TE‐KIREIKI]® employing ultrasonic wave spraying and its incidental alcohol‐based product [AROKULIN‐E]®. The subjects of this study were 10 males who had been instructed not to use any antimicrobial agent for the previous 2 weeks or any hand soap for the previous 5 hours.

Study of the Efficacy of Antiseptic Handrub Lotions with Hand Washing Machines

The effectiveness of quick handwashing in regards to four alcohol‐based handrub lotions, including two products already on the market and our original lotions 1, 2, with two different kinds of hand washing machines was studied in vivo. We also tried to evaluate the efficacy of the four lotions in vitro.