title: Retrospective study of Candida sp. contaminations of endoscopes at the University Hospital of Tlemcen (Algeria).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Improper cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes has been responsible for multiple nosocomial outbreaks and sometimes serious life-threatening infections.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study is, at first, to identify Candida species responsible for the contamination of endoscopes, and to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations of planktonic (MIC) and sessile cells (SMIC) of amphotericin B (AmB) against our isolated strains.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was performed on four endoscopes in the department of gastroenterology at the University Hospital of Tlemcen (Algeria). A total of 300 samples from endoscopes were examined over a period of 3years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-four strains of Candida sp. were isolated, representing 11.33% of the considered samples. The number of isolated strains dropped significantly in the second and the third year compared to the first year of our study. After testing the antifungal property of amphotericin B, we showed clearly that the sessile cells of Candida sp. were much more resistant than their planktonic counterparts (suspended cells).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The methods of sterilization of the endoscopes are very important; drying by compressed air is a critical step that reduces significantly the number of yeasts contamination.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Antibiotics Antifungals: Physico-chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity, Department of Biology, Tlemcen University, BP119 Imama, Tlemcen, Algeria. Electronic address: imane.lahfa@student.univ-tlemcen.dz.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hassaine-Lahfa
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Antibiotics Antifungals: Physico-chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity, Department of Biology, Tlemcen University, BP119 Imama, Tlemcen, Algeria.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Boucherit-Otmani
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Antibiotics Antifungals: Physico-chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity, Department of Biology, Tlemcen University, BP119 Imama, Tlemcen, Algeria.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sari-Belkherroubi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Antibiotics Antifungals: Physico-chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity, Department of Biology, Tlemcen University, BP119 Imama, Tlemcen, Algeria; University Center of Ain Temouchent, Ain Temouchent, Algeria.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boucherit
mesh_terms: D000462:Algeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004203:Disinfection / Q000592:standards; D019723:Endoscopes / Q000382:microbiology*; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents
keywords: Amphotericin B; Amphotéricine B; Biofilm; Candida sp.; Decontamination; Décontamination; Endoscope; Sensibilité; Sensitivity