title: Pasteurization is effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The emergence and rapid spread of multidrug-resistant isolates causing nosocomial infections, particularly pandrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, pandrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae are of great concern worldwide.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study investigated the efficacy of pasteurization against contamination of culture tubes and plastic bags by the above 4 important multidrug-resistant bacteria. A 5-mL bacterial suspension with approximately 10(5) and 10(9) cfu/mL of each organism was inoculated into 3 sets of plastic bags and culture tubes and subjected to pasteurization in a washer at 75 degrees C for 30 minutes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A nearly total eradication was found after pasteurization of these 4 drug-resistant pathogens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pasteurization was highly effective against drug-resistant bacteria. Strict adherence to appropriate infection control management for respiratory circuits is important for reducing the spread of drug-resistant bacteria among ventilator-assisted patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic Cardinal Tien Hospital, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Huey-Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Li-Na
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hou-Tai
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yeong-Long
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Chong-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Pan-Chyr
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Po-Ren
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hsueh
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006361:Heating; D006801:Humans