In one hospital,Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype 10 infected the biliary tract of 10 percent of 1300 patients who underwent gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures.After each use,endoscopes were washed with an automatic reprocessor that flushed detergent and glutaraldehyde through the endoscopes,followed by a tap water rinse.P.aeruginosa serotype 10 was not isolated from the detergent,glutaraldehyde,or tap water.What was the source of the infections?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype 10 was not found in the disinfectant or tap water, it suggests that the source of infection might be a biofilm within the automatic reprocessor, which could have protected the bacteria from being killed during the cleaning process.

In One Hospital,Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Serotype 10 Infected the Biliary Tract