Bacterial pollution and disinfection of the colonofiberscope

Abstract

We have studied the effects of traditional methods of disinfection of the colonofiberscope and have found that serious pollution by both grampositive and gram-negative organisms occurs on the tip, tube, and operation panel of the scope after routine colonofiberscopic examinations. Colonic flora were found simultaneously on the examiner's hands and in the house dust during the clinical examination procedure. Sterilization of the scope, using commercially available antiseptics (ie, cresol, benzethonium chloride, and chlorhexidine), was found to be incomplete except for a rather satisfactory disinfection obtained by a combined brushing process in chlorhexidine solution. It is concluded that traditional sterilization methods inadequately disinfect the colonofiberscope for clinical use, thus microbial infection through the endoscopic route to and between the patients should be considered. Protection of the endoscopist and his assistant from infection also needs to be emphasized.