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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
07:06
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
Published on: December 8, 2014
Summary
Flexible gastrointestinal endoscopy instruments are increasingly used but can cause serious infections if contaminated. Proper cleaning protocols are crucial to prevent patient harm from procedures like oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Flexible fibreoptic gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy instruments have advanced significantly over the past decade.
- Their use for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures has become increasingly common.
- Contaminated endoscopic equipment poses a risk of serious, sometimes fatal, infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the risks associated with contaminated endoscopic equipment.
- To document reported infections following specific endoscopic procedures.
- To underscore the importance of infection control in GI endoscopy.
Main Methods:
- Review of reported cases and literature concerning infections after GI endoscopy.
- Identification of micro-organisms implicated in post-endoscopic infections.
- Analysis of the link between equipment contamination and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- Infections have been reported following oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy (OGD) and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP).
- A wide variety of micro-organisms have been identified as causative agents.
- Contamination of flexible fibreoptic endoscopic instruments is a recognized source of patient infection.
Conclusions:
- The increasing use of GI endoscopy necessitates stringent infection control measures.
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of endoscopic equipment are critical to prevent transmission of pathogens.
- Failure to address equipment contamination can lead to severe patient morbidity and mortality.
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