Retrospective study of Candida sp. contaminations of endoscopes at the University Hospital of Tlemcen (Algeria).

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.

MATERIALS AND 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).

CONCLUSION: 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.