'Secondary biofilms' could cause failure of peracetic acid high-level disinfection of endoscopes

Akinbobola, A.B., Amaeze, N.J., Mackay, W.G., Ramage, G. and Williams, C. (2021) 'Secondary biofilms' could cause failure of peracetic acid high-level disinfection of endoscopes. Journal of Hospital Infection, 107, pp. 67-75. (doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.09.028) (PMID:33098959)

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Abstract

The reduced susceptibility of biofilm to disinfectants presents a challenge to the successful reprocessing of medical equipment. This study examined the effect of residual biomass remaining after previous PAA disinfection on tolerance of subsequent mature P. aeruginosa biofilms to PAA. The effect of enzymatic degradation of specific components of P. aeruginosa biofilm EPS on the effectiveness of PAA disinfection was also evaluated. The presence of residual biomass from previously disinfected biofilms significantly enhanced the tolerance of a subsequent biofilms. A 96hr old “secondary biofilm” formed on disinfected biomass survived PAA concentrations of 4000 ppm, which exceeds the concentrations used in practice for high-level disinfection. These observations indicate that, under certain circumstances recolonisation of residual EPS can cause failure of disinfection of medical equipment such as endoscopes and emphasises the importance of cleaning of endoscopes prior to disinfection.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ramage, Professor Gordon
Authors: Akinbobola, A.B., Amaeze, N.J., Mackay, W.G., Ramage, G., and Williams, C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
Journal Name:Journal of Hospital Infection
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0195-6701
ISSN (Online):1532-2939
Published Online:22 October 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Healthcare Infection Society
First Published:First published in Journal of Hospital Infection 107: 67-75
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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