Heterotrophic bacterial growth on hoses in a neonatal water distribution system.
After preliminary tests indicated an increased number of heterotrophic bacteria, we investigated possible sources of contamination in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) water distribution system. Scanning electron microscopic examination of flexible metallic hoses associated with the system revealed the presence of a biofilm; partial 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that the biofilm contained Blastomonas natatoria. Purgation of the water system three times a day, reinforced faucet cleaning, decreasing the cold water temperature to 12 degrees , and six repeated chlorinations at concentrations as high as 2 mg/L were not sufficient to eradicate the bacterial contamination. Replacing all of the rubber-interior flexible metallic hoses with teflon-lined hoses followed by heating the water to 70 degrees successfully controlled the bacteria.
Buffet-Bataillon
Sylvie
S
Service de Bacteriologie, Virologie et Hygiene Hospitaliere, Pole Microorganismes et Hygiene Hospitaliere, CHU de Rennes, France. sylvie.buffet-bataillon@chu-rennes.fr
Bonnaure-Mallet
Martine
M
de la Pintiere
Armelle
A
Defawe
Guy
G
Gautier-Lerestif
Anne-Lise
AL
Fauveau
Severine
S
Minet
Jacques
J
D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014871:Water Microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S