A PSEUDOEPIDEMIC OF RHODOTORULA-RUBRA - A MARKER FOR MICROBIAL-CONTAMINATION OF THE BRONCHOSCOPE

Rhadotorula rubra was isolated from bronchoscopy specimens from 11 pat ients. An investigation of the bronchoscopy equipment and the bronchos copy suite revealed contamination of the suction channel with R rubra, as well as potentially pathogenic bacteria. Disinfection control meth ods included gas sterilization of the bronchoscope and the institution of an alcohol and air flush through the suction channel to allow comp lete drying of the scope between each patient use. We have had no furt her isolates of R rubra from bronchoscopy specimens since these measur es were instituted, and repeat cultures from the suction channel have been negative (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 1995;16:727-728).