Rhodotorula rubra contamination in fiberoptic bronchoscopy

Rhodotorula rubra was recovered in 18 bronchoscopic specimens from 15 patients from May to November 1987. One hundred and twenty-one bronchoscopies were performed during that period by two bronchoscopists (W. W.; R.D.) at Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco. Isolation of R rubra occurred in 11 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens, four bronchial washes, and three transbronchial biopsies. Clinical infection was not present in any of these patients, although five were immunocompromised hosts. After a stepwise infection control review of the laboratory, the bronchoscopy suite, bronchoscopists, and the fiberoptic bronchoscope failed to recover the organism, a systematic evaluation of the cleaning procedure was undertaken. We discovered that replacement of the suction valve and the rubber biopsy valve on the biopsy channel immediately after cleaning allowed moisture to accumulate in these areas. Removal of both the suction valve and biopsy valve during periods of nonuse resulted in adequate drying of the biopsy channel and eradication of contamination from December 1987 to May 1990 (350 bronchoscopies). Epidemiologic and infection control surveillance is critical for bronchoscopy, especially when possible pathogens are recovered by BAL in the immunocompromised patient.