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Review
. 2015 Aug;3(4):E259-65.
doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1392099.

Infectious diseases linked to cross-contamination of flexible endoscopes

Nikki Kenters  1 , Elisabeth G W Huijskens  2 , Corianne Meier  3 , Andreas Voss  4
Affiliations
Review

Infectious diseases linked to cross-contamination of flexible endoscopes

Nikki Kenters et al. Endosc Int Open. 2015 Aug.

Abstract

Flexible endoscopes are widely used to examine, diagnose, and treat medical disorders. While the risk of endoscopy-related transmission of infection is estimated to be very low, more health care-associated infections are related to contaminated endoscopes than to any other medical device. Flexible endoscopes can get highly contaminated with microorganisms, secretions and blood during use. The narrow lumens and multiple internal channels make the cleaning of flexible endoscopes a complex and difficult task. Despite the availability of international, national and local endoscope reprocessing guidelines, contamination and transmission of microorganisms continue to occur. These transmissions are mostly related to the use of defective equipment, endoscope reprocessing failures, and noncompliance with recommended guidelines. This article presents an overview of publications about case reports and outbreaks related to contamination of flexible endoscopes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Head ERCP scope with forceps elevator.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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