title: Mycobacterial contamination of fibreoptic bronchoscopes.
abstract: Contamination of bronchoalveolar lavage specimens by environmental mycobacteria in hospital water supplies may lead to diagnostic confusion, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Mycobacteria may become concentrated in the tubing of bronchoscope disinfecting machines. It is very difficult to eradicate these organisms once contamination has occurred.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Southmead Health Services NHS Trust, Bristol.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Hellyar
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Reeves
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D020680:Bronchoscopes; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009161:Mycobacterium; D014871:Water Microbiology