Catalog of fossil spores and pollen,

Cumulative index: v. 11-20, 1965. v. 21-30, 1970. v. 31-40, 1977.

Pennsylvanian spores of Illinois and their use in correlation / by Robert M. Kosanke.

"Manuscript completed in August 1948."

A study of the effect of ionizing radiation on resistance, germination, and toxin synthesis of Clostridium botulinum spores, types A, B, and E

At head of title: The University of Michigan, College of Engineering, Dept. of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering. Final report.

An annotated synopsis of paleozoic fossil spores and the definition of generic groups /

"Prepared in collaboration with the Department of Geology, Coe College, and the Tennessee State Division of Geology."

Spores from the Herrin (no. 6) coal bed in Illinois,

Bibliography: p. 53-55.

Sporicidal activity of two disinfectants against Clostridium difficile spores

The sporicidal activity of an odour-free peracetic acid-based disinfectant (Wofasteril®) and a widely-used dichloroisocyanurate preparation (Chlor-clean®) was assessed against spores of the hyper-virulent strain of Clostridium difficile (ribotype 027), in the presence and absence of organic matter. In environmentally clean conditions, dichloroisocyanurate achieved a >3 log10 reduction in 3 minutes, but a minimum contact time of 9 minutes was required to reduce the viable spore load to below detection levels. Peracetic acid achieved a >3 log10 reduction in 30 minutes and was overall significantly less effective (P<0.05). However, in the presence of organic matter - which reflects the true clinical environment - there was no significant difference between the sporicidal activity of dichloroisocyanurate and peracetic acid over a 60-minute period (P=0.188). Given the greater occupational health hazards generally associated with chlorine-releasing agents, odour-free peracetic acid-based disinfectants may offer a suitable alternative for environmental disinfection.

Physical and chemical factors influencing the germination of Clostridium difficile spores

AIMS: To investigate the influence of chemical and physical factors on the rate and extent of germination of Clostridium difficile spores. METHODS AND RESULTS: Germination of C. difficile spores following exposure to chemical and physical germinants was measured by loss of either heat or ethanol resistance. Sodium taurocholate and chenodeoxycholate initiated germination together with thioglycollate medium at concentrations of 0.1-100 mmol l(-1) and 10-100 mmol l(-1) respectively. Glycine (0.2% w/v) was a co-factor required for germination with sodium taurocholate. There was no significant difference in the rate of germination of C. difficile spores in aerobic and anaerobic conditions (P > 0.05) however, the initial rate of germination was significantly increased at 37 degrees C compared to 20 degrees C (P < 0.05). The optimum pH range for germination was 6.5-7.5, with a decreased rate and extent of germination occurring at pH 5.5 and 8.5. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that sodium taurocholate and chenodeoxycholate initiate germination of C. difficile spores and is concentration dependant. Temperature and pH influence the rate and extent of germination. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This manuscript enhances the knowledge of the factors influencing the germination of C. difficile spores. This may be applied to the development of potential novel strategies for the prevention of C. difficile infection.

Antimicrobial efficacy of copper surfaces against spores and vegetative cells of Clostridium difficile: the germination theory

OBJECTIVES: Persistent contamination of surfaces by spores of Clostridium difficile is a major factor influencing the spread of C. difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) in the clinical setting. In recent years, the antimicrobial efficacy of metal surfaces has been investigated against microorganisms including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This study compared the survival of C. difficile on stainless steel, a metal contact surface widely used in hospitals, and copper surfaces. METHODS: Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed using a carrier test method against dormant spores, germinating spores and vegetative cells of C. difficile (NCTC 11204 and ribotype 027) over a 3 h period in the presence and absence of organic matter. RESULTS: Copper metal eliminated all vegetative cells of C. difficile within 30 min, compared with stainless steel which demonstrated no antimicrobial activity (P < 0.05). Copper significantly reduced the viability of spores of C. difficile exposed to the germinant (sodium taurocholate) in aerobic conditions within 60 min (P < 0.05) while achieving a >or=2.5 log reduction (99.8% reduction) at 3 h. Organic material did not reduce the antimicrobial efficacy of the copper surface (P > 0.05).

Histidine acts as a co-germinant with glycine and taurocholate for Clostridium difficile spores

Aims: It is well established that the bile salt sodium taurocholate acts as a germinant for Clostridium difficile spores and the amino acid glycine acts as a co-germinant. The aim of this study was to determine whether any other amino acids act as co-germinants. Methods and Results: Clostridium difficile spore suspensions were exposed to different germinant solutions comprising taurocholate, glycine and an additional amino acid for 1 h before heating shocking (to kill germinating cells) or chilling on ice. Samples were then re-germinated and cultured to recover remaining viable cells. Only five amino acids out of the 19 common amino acids tested (valine, aspartic acid, arginine, histidine and serine) demonstrated co-germination activity with taurocholate and glycine. Of these, only histidine produced high levels of germination (97·9–99·9%) consistently in four strains of Cl. difficile spores. Some variation in the level of germination produced was observed between different PCR ribotypes, and the optimum concentration of amino acids with taurocholate for the germination of Cl. difficile NCTC 11204 spores was 10–100 mmol l-1. Conclusions: Histidine was found to be a co-germinant for Cl. difficile spores when combined with glycine and taurocholate. Significance and Impact of the Study: The findings of this study enhance current knowledge regarding agents required for germination of Cl. difficile spores which may be utilized in the development of novel applications to prevent the spread of Cl. difficile infection.

Stérilisation à basse température et à pression réduite en post-décharge de plasma : Étude et analyse du rôle des UV dans l'inactivation de spores bactériennes

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Stérilisation à basse température et à pression réduite en post-décharge de plasma : Étude et analyse du rôle des UV dans l'inactivation de spores bactériennes

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Pollen and spores of sites GeoB8331 and GeoB8323, Namaqualand Mudbelt, Holocene South Africa

To better understand Holocene vegetation and hydrological changes in South Africa, we analyzed pollen and microcharcoal records of two marine sites GeoB8331 and GeoB8323 from the Namaqualand mudbelt offshore the west coast of South Africa covering the last 9900 and 2200 years, respectively. Our data corroborate findings from literature that climate developments apparently contrast between the summer rainfall zone (SRZ) and winter rainfall zone (WRZ) over the last 9900 years, especially during the early and middle Holocene. During the early Holocene (9900-7800 cal.yr BP), a minimum of grass pollen suggests low summer rainfall in the SRZ, and the initial presence of Renosterveld vegetation indicates relatively wet conditions in the WRZ. Towards the middle Holocene (7800-2400 cal. yr BP), a rather moist savanna/grassland rich in grasses suggests higher summer rainfall in the SRZ resulting from increased austral summer insolation and a decline of fynbos vegetation accompanied by an increasing Succulent Karoo vegetation in the WRZ possibly suggests a southward shift of the Southern Hemisphere westerlies. During the last 2200 years, a trend towards higher aridity was observed for the SRZ, while the climate in the WRZ remained relatively stable. The Little Ice Age (ca. 700-200 cal. yr BP) was rather cool in both rainfall zones and drier in the SRZ while wetter in the WRZ.