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.
Bass
D H
DH
Department of Surgery, Bacteriology, University of Cape Town.
Oliver
S
S
Bornman
P C
PC
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*