title: Residual bioburden in reprocessed side-view endoscopes used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Worldwide some endoscopy units routinely continue to use manual reprocessing techniques for disinfection of side-view endoscopes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome quality of manual reprocessing techniques for removal and inactivation of the bioburden from side-view endoscopes used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in a tertiary referral endotherapy unit in Sri Lanka.
  
  
  METHODS
  102 samples obtained from two different flexible side-view endoscopes (Olympus TJF Q 180V and Olympus TJF 160 R) were tested for microbial growth. Three samples were collected each time; one swab from the tip before and another after manual reprocessing. The third sample was collected by flushing the working channel with sterile normal saline after manual reprocessing. Microorganisms were identified by culturing the samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : After reprocessing, culture-positive rates were 20 % and 9 % for the samples obtained from the tip and the working channel of the side-view endoscopes, respectively. Klebsiella spp. and Candida spp. were found to be the commonest microorganisms in the samples from the tips and from the working channels, respectively, of the reprocessed side-view endoscopes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a high culture-positive rate after reprocessing of the side-view endoscopes using the manual reprocessing procedure, despite strict adherence to the protocol for reprocessing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: D L N L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Ubhayawardana
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kottahachchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Weerasekera
authors.affiliation: Endo-Therapy Unit, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: I W M P
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Wanigasooriya
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: S S N
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Fernando
authors.affiliation: Endo-Therapy Unit, Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Silva