Experimental contamination assessment of a novel closed ultravitrification device.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety of a new ultravitrification closed device.


METHODS
Ultravitrification research.


METHODS
Private assisted reproduction center.


METHODS
Microorganisms (bacteria).


METHODS
A styrofoam container holding 1,000 mL of liquid nitrogen (LN2) was contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Forty closed devices (Ultravit) and 20 open devices (Cryotop) loading approximately 0.5 μL of antibiotic-free medium were plunged into this contaminated LN2 for 5-10 seconds and then inoculated into selective culture dishes. Colony-forming units were analyzed and counted after an overnight incubation at 37°C.


METHODS
Detection of micro-organisms in different devices after incubation.


RESULTS
There was no contamination in any of the closed devices, whereas in 45% of open devices these bacteria were present.


CONCLUSIONS
With this study we demonstrated, in an experimental model using contaminated LN2, that this new closed device is a safe system that does not allow cell contact with LN2, avoiding cell contamination.
Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Milan, Italy. ecriados@yahoo.es
Enrique
E
Criado
Federica
F
Moalli
Nadia
N
Polentarutti
Elena
E
Albani
Giovanna
G
Morreale
Francesca
F
Menduni
Paolo Emanuele
PE
Levi-Setti
D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009584:Nitrogen; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*
D009584:Nitrogen