Clin Endosc.  2011 Dec;44(2):109-115. 10.5946/ce.2011.44.2.109.

Comparison on the Efficacy of Disinfectants Used in Automated Endoscope Reprocessors: PHMB-DBAC versus Orthophthalaldehyde

• Kim SY
• Lee HS
• Hyun JJ
• Seo MH
• Yim SY
• Oh HY
• Kim HS
• Keum B
• Seo YS
• Kim YS
• Jeen YT
• Chun HJ
• Um SH
• Kim CD
• Ryu HS

• KMID: 1805257
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2011.44.2.109

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Since endoscopes are reusable apparatus classified as semicritical item, thorough reprocessing to achieve high-level disinfection is of utmost importance to prevent spread of infection. To improve disinfection efficacy and safety, disinfectants and endoscope reprocessors are continuously evolving. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of the combination of polyhexamethylenebiguanide hydrochloride-alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (PHMB-DBAC) and orthophthalaldehyde (OPA) used respectively in ultrasonographic cleaning incorporated automated endoscope reprocessors: COOLENDO (APEX Korea) or OER-A (Olympus Optical).
METHODS
A total of 86 flexible upper endoscopes were randomly reprocessed with either COOLENDO/PHMB-DBAC or OER-A/OPA. Culture samplings were done at two sites (endoscope tip and working channel) which were later incubated on blood agar plate. Bacterial colonies were counted and identified.
RESULTS
The culture-positive rate at the endoscope tip and working channel was 0% and 2.33% for COOLENDO/PHMB-DBAC and 4.65% and 0% for OER-A/OPA. Staphylococcus hominis was cultured from one endoscope reprocessed with COOLENDO/PHMB-DBAC and Pseudomonas putida was isolated from two endoscopes reprocessed with OER-A/OPA.
CONCLUSIONS
The reprocessing efficacy of COOLENDO/PHMB-DBAC was non-inferior to that of OER-A/OPA (p=0.032; confidence interval, -0.042 to 0.042). During the study period, significant side effect of PHMB-DBAC was not observed.

Keyword

Endoscope reprocessing; Disinfectants; High-level disinfection

MeSH Terms

Agar
Disinfectants
Disinfection
Endoscopes
Pseudomonas putida
Staphylococcus hominis
Agar
Disinfectants

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