title: Contamination of a purified water system by Aspergillus fumigatus in a new endoscopy reprocessing unit.
abstract: Use of purified water for the final rinse stage of disinfected endoscopes is an important element of quality control. We describe the detection and management of Aspergillus fumigatus contamination of a new reverse osmosis unit supplying 10 automated endoscope reprocessor basins. Prompt detection and reaction to this contaminant were possible because of the introduction of a comprehensive program for microbiological monitoring of rinse waters, which included total viable counts, endotoxin, conductivity, and Pseudomonas spp.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland. Electronic address: kkhalsa333@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Kamaljit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khalsa
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection and Immunity, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock, Scotland.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Central Decontamination Unit, Cowlairs Industrial Estate, Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: Stobhill Endoscopy Decontamination Unit, Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peat
authors.affiliation: Decontamination Team Health Facilities Scotland, Procurement, Commissioning and Facilities, NHS National Services Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.affiliation: Infection Control Department, North East Sector, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.affiliation: NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Central Decontamination Unit, Cowlairs Industrial Estate, Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019723:Endoscopes / Q000382:microbiology / Q000592:standards; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D050296:Microbial Viability; D011786:Quality Control; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Aspergillus fumigatus; Automated endoscopy reprocessing unit; Contamination