title: [Evaluation of microbial growth on single-use vitrectomy probes reprocessed in healthcare practice].
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial growth on single-use vitrectomy probes reprocessed in healthcare practice. We investigated nine vitrectomy probes that had been reused and reprocessed using different methods. The samples were sectioned, individually, in portions of 3.5 cm, totaling 979 sampling units (extensions, connectors and vitrectomy cutters), which were inoculated in culture medium and incubated at 37º C for 14 days. The results showed microbial growth on 57 (5.8%) sample units, 25 of which had been sterilized using ethylene oxide, 16 by hydrogen peroxide plasma, and 16 by low-temperature steam and formaldehyde. Seventeen microbial species were identified. The most prevalent were: Micrococcus spp., coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas spp., and Bacillus subtilis. The reuse of single-use vitrectomy probes was shown to be unsafe, therefore this practice is not recommended.
authors: Departamento de Enfermagem Básica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil. fsmorais@usp.br
authors: Flávia Morais Gomes
authors: FM
authors: Pinto
authors: Valéria Garcia Lopes
authors: VG
authors: Araújo
authors: Rafael Queiroz de
authors: RQ
authors: Souza
authors: Vânia Regina
authors: VR
authors: Goveia
authors: Carmen Castilho
authors: CC
authors: Missali
authors: Reginaldo Adalberto de
authors: RA
authors: Luz
authors: Kazuko Uchikawa
authors: KU
authors: Graziano
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D013242:Sterilization; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*