Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-hvd4g Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-27T10:46:24.774Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A Pseudoepidemic of Rhodotorula rubra: A Marker for Microbial Contamination of the Bronchoscope

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Margaret E. Hagan ,
Stephen A. Klotz ,
William Bartholomew ,
Lonna Potter  and
Michael Nelson
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Rhodotorula rubra was isolated from bronchoscopy specimens from 11 patients. An investigation of the bronchoscopy equipment and the bronchoscopy suite revealed contamination of the suction channel with R rubra, as well as potentially pathogenic bacteria. Disinfection control methods included gas sterilization of the bronchoscope and the institution of an alcohol and air flush through the suction channel to allow complete drying of the scope between each patient use. We have had no further isolates of R rubra from bronchoscopy specimens since these measures were instituted, and repeat cultures from the suction channel have been negative.

Type
Concise Communications
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 16 , Issue 12 , December 1995 , pp. 727 - 728
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Martin, MA, Reichelderfer, M. APIC guidelines for infection prevention and control in flexible endoscopy. Am J Infect Control 1994;22:19–38.Google Scholar
2. Rutala, WA. APIC guideline for selection and use of disinfectants. Am J Infect Control 1990;18:99–114.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3. Schleupner, CJ, Hamilton, JR. A pseudoepidemic of pulmonary fungal infections related to fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Infect Control 1980;1:38–41.Google Scholar
4. Jackson, L, Klotz, SA, Normand, RE. A pseudoepidemic of Sporothrix cyanescens pneumonia occurring during renovation of a bronchoscopy suite. J Med Vet Mycol 1990;28:455–459.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5. Hoffmann, KK, Weber, DJ, Rutala, WA. Pseudoepidemic of Rhodotorula rubra in patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1989;10(11):511–514.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6. Whitlock, WL, Dietrich, RA, Steimke, EH, Tenholder, MF. Rhodotorula rubra contamination in fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Chest 1992;102:1516–1519.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7. Sammartino, MT, Israel, RH, Magnussen, CR. Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination of fiberoptic bronchoscopes. J Hosp Infect 1982;3:65–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8. Martone, WJ, Osterman, CA, Fisher, KA, Wenzel, RP. Pseudomonas cepacia: implications and control of epidemic nosocomial colonization. Rev Infect Dis 1981;3:708–715.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9. Siegman-Igra, Y, Inbar, G, Campus, A. An “outbreak” of pulmonary pseudoinfection by Serratia marcescens. J Hosp Infect 1985;6:218–220.Google Scholar
10. Nelson, KE, Larson, PA, Schraufnagel, DE, Jackson, J. Transmission of tuberculosis by flexible fiberbronchoscopes. Am Rev Respir Dis 1983;127:97–100.Google Scholar