title: Comparison on the Efficacy of Disinfectants Used in Automated Endoscope Reprocessors: PHMB-DBAC versus Orthophthalaldehyde.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since endoscopes are reusable apparatus classified as semicritical item, thorough reprocessing to achieve high-level disinfection is of utmost importance to prevent spread of infection. To improve disinfection efficacy and safety, disinfectants and endoscope reprocessors are continuously evolving. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of the combination of polyhexamethylenebiguanide hydrochloride-alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (PHMB-DBAC) and orthophthalaldehyde (OPA) used respectively in ultrasonographic cleaning incorporated automated endoscope reprocessors: COOLENDO (APEX Korea) or OER-A (Olympus Optical).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 86 flexible upper endoscopes were randomly reprocessed with either COOLENDO/PHMB-DBAC or OER-A/OPA. Culture samplings were done at two sites (endoscope tip and working channel) which were later incubated on blood agar plate. Bacterial colonies were counted and identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The culture-positive rate at the endoscope tip and working channel was 0% and 2.33% for COOLENDO/PHMB-DBAC and 4.65% and 0% for OER-A/OPA. Staphylococcus hominis was cultured from one endoscope reprocessed with COOLENDO/PHMB-DBAC and Pseudomonas putida was isolated from two endoscopes reprocessed with OER-A/OPA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reprocessing efficacy of COOLENDO/PHMB-DBAC was non-inferior to that of OER-A/OPA (p=0.032; confidence interval, -0.042 to 0.042). During the study period, significant side effect of PHMB-DBAC was not observed.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Digestive Disease and Nutrition, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Sun Young
authors: SY
authors: Kim
authors: Hong Sik
authors: HS
authors: Lee
authors: Jong Jin
authors: JJ
authors: Hyun
authors: Min Ho
authors: MH
authors: Seo
authors: Sun Young
authors: SY
authors: Yim
authors: Ha Young
authors: HY
authors: Oh
authors: Hye Sook
authors: HS
authors: Kim
authors: Bora
authors: B
authors: Keum
authors: Yeon Seok
authors: YS
authors: Seo
authors: Yong Sik
authors: YS
authors: Kim
authors: Yoon Tae
authors: YT
authors: Jeen
authors: Hoon Jai
authors: HJ
authors: Chun
authors: Soon Ho
authors: SH
authors: Um
authors: Chang Duck
authors: CD
authors: Kim
authors: Ho Sang
authors: HS
authors: Ryu