Cluster of Trichosporon mucoides in children associated with a faulty bronchoscope.
BACKGROUND
Several outbreaks of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection associated with a specific model of fiberoptic bronchoscope have been reported. In a 3-week period in September 2000, we noticed an increased number of Trichosporon mucoides isolates recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens collected at our hospital. We investigated the circumstances surrounding these isolates.


METHODS
Outbreak investigation was conducted, and the medical records of the affected patients were reviewed retrospectively for evidence of positive cultures for T. mucoides from BAL specimens. Specimens collected during the investigation were inoculated onto fungal culture medium and yeasts were identified with API-20C (BioMèrieux-Vitek).


RESULTS
During the 3-week period BAL specimens from six patients yielded growth of T. mucoides. These six high risk patients had emergency bronchoscopy performed as a workup for pneumonia and/or respiratory distress. A Model BF XP-40 bronchoscope (Olympus) had been used in all six patients. Cultures of the bronchoscope (external body and the lumen), bronchoscope disinfector, 2% glutaraldehyde disinfecting solution and water filters/supply were performed. Only fluid from the bronchoscope lumen yielded growth of T. mucoides. Air sample cultures of the bronchoscopy suites were negative. Medical records review disclosed that affected patients were not readmitted with infection with T. mucoides and had no adverse outcomes. The bronchoscope was removed from service and returned to the manufacturer.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine surveillance and aggressive investigation identified persistent T. mucoides contamination of one bronchoscope. The bronchoscope manufacturer later recalled the BF XP-40 model for corrective revision.
Singh
Nalini
N
Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. Nsingh@CNMC.org
Belen
Ozlem
O
Léger
Marie-Michèle
MM
Campos
Joseph M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D020680:Bronchoscopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D017053:Infection Control; D008297:Male; D009181:Mycoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014250:Trichosporon / Q000302:isolation & purification*