title: Can Monsel's Transmit Nosocomial Infections? A Microbiological Investigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE.: Our objective was to test whether common nosocomial pathogenic bacteria can be cultured in Monsel's paste, 20% ferric subsulfate, an astringent solution with styptic qualities that causes hemostasis when applied topically to small cuts. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: First, samples of Monsel's paste were collected and plated onto 4 media. Bacterial growth was evaluated at 48 hours. Second, thioglycollate medium was inoculated with a combination of Monsel's paste and actively growing stock bacteria. After 2 days, the samples were subcultured. They were evaluated for growth at 5 days. Next, samples of Monsel's were inoculated with 10Pseudomonas aeruginosa or 10Clostridium perfringens. The samples of inoculated paste were examined at 5-minute intervals thereafter to evaluate bacterial survival. RESULTS.: Neither the open samples of Monsel's solution nor the inoculated samples of Monsel's solution grew bacteria. When the samples inoculated with 10 organisms were examined at timed intervals after inoculation, no bacteria were noted after 5 minutes. CONCLUSIONS.: It is unlikely that nosocomial bacteria could survive exposure to Monsel's solution. Thus, potential contamination of the solution is unlikely, and subsequent transmission of infection is improbable.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Microbiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Audrey P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Wenham
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Onderdonk
authors.forename: Ellen E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Sheets