Microbiological contamination of a hemodialysis center water distribution system.
The microbiological monitoring of the water used for hemodialysis is extremely important, especially because of the debilitated immune system of patients suffering from chronic renal insufficiency. To investigate the occurrence and species diversity of bacteria in waters, water samples were collected monthly from a hemodialysis center in upstate São Paulo and tap water samples at the terminal sites of the distribution system was sampled repeatedly (22 times) at each of five points in the distribution system; a further 36 samples were taken from cannulae in 19 hemodialysis machines that were ready for the next patient, four samples from the reuse system and 13 from the water storage system. To identify bacteria, samples were filtered through 0.22 microm-pore membranes; for mycobacteria, 0.45 microm pores were used. Conventional microbiological and molecular methods were used in the analysis. Bacteria were isolated from the distribution system (128 isolates), kidney machine water (43) and reuse system (3). Among these isolates, 32 were Gram-positive rods, 120 Gram-negative rods, 20 Gram-positive cocci and 11 mycobacteria. We propose the continual monitoring of the water supplies in hemodialysis centers and the adoption of effective prophylactic measures that minimize the exposure of these immunodeficient patients to contaminated sources of water.
Montanari
Lilian Bueno
LB
University of Franca, SP, Brazil.
Sartori
Flávio Garcia
FG
Cardoso
Miguel Jorge de Oliveira
MJ
Varo
Samuel Dutra
SD
Pires
Regina Helena
RH
Leite
Clarice Queico Fujimura
CQ
Prince
Karina
K
Martins
Carlos Henrique Gomes
CH
D001938:Brazil; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004340:Drug Contamination; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015312:Hemodialysis Solutions; D006436:Hemodialysis Units, Hospital; D008851:Micropore Filters; D014871:Water Microbiology
D015312:Hemodialysis Solutions