title: Removal of Mycobacterium species by breathing circuit filters.
abstract: Breathing circuit filters (BCFs) are used in respiratory and critical-care settings for humidification of air and to limit transmission of respiratory pathogens. Three types of BCFs (Pall BB 25A, BB 100, and HME 15-22) were evaluated (in triplicate) for removal of Mycobacterium species. Filters were challenged with aerosolized Mycobacterium bovis (a surrogate for Mycobacterium tuberculosis), at minimum total concentrations of 10(4) colony-forming units. No M bovis was recovered in the effluent, providing removal efficiencies of > 99.99% to > 99.999% for the filters tested.
authors.affiliation: Pall Corporation, Scientific and Laboratory Services Department, Port Washington, NY 11050, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aranha-Creado
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prince
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brandwein
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000295:instrumentation; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices / Q000592:standards*; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D014691:Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation*