Pseudomonas septicaemia after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography--an unresolved problem.
Over a 6-month period 5 patients with obstructive jaundice developed Gram-negative septicaemia, all within 48 hours of undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The sepsis proved fatal in 3 patients, despite prompt decompression of the obstructed biliary system. In all cases the organism responsible was Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the source of infection appeared to be a contaminated water-bottle attached to the endoscopic apparatus. This report highlights the importance of disinfection techniques and reviews the present situation in respect of antibiotic prophylaxis.
Department of Surgery, Bacteriology, University of Cape Town.
D H
DH
Bass
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S
Oliver
P C
PC
Bornman
D000368:Aged; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology*