title: Bacterial survival in the radiographic processes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the microbial contamination in hand-operated and automatic radiographic solutions and on contact surfaces during radiographic procedures such as X-ray cone and button and surface of hand-operated and automatic radiographic solution tanks in dental clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 10 mL liquid solution was taken with syringe at 5, 10, 24, and 48 hour time intervals from freshly prepared hand-operated and automatic processing solution. The swab samples were taken from the surfaces of radiographic solution tanks, X-ray cone and its button. The specimens were inoculated into blood agar and Eosin Methylene-Blue (EMB) agar. The plates were incubated in an incubator for 48 hours at 37 °C. Becton Dickinson Phoenix Automated Microbiology System was used for determining the microorganisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the microbiologic analyses of the samples revealed no microbial growth in the hand-operated and automatic radiographic solutions in all observation periods, the microbial growth on the contact surfaces was observed. Staphylococcus epidermidis, metisillin resistant from the surface of radiographic solution tanks, X-ray cone and switch. Streptococcus mitis was found on the X-ray switch.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiographic procedures can cause cross contamination; clinicians should therefore apply disinfection protocols in all radiographic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Gaziantep University Dental Faculty, Operative Dentistry and Endodontics Department Gaziantep, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozsevik
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cicek
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bodrumlu
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Guney
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D004203:Disinfection; D004340:Drug Contamination; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012996:Solutions; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions