Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
Study of Experimental Organ Donation Models for Lung Transplantation
Published on: March 15, 2024
[Experimental study of bronchofibroscope disinfection]
G Rodríguez-Froján1, J Castella, V Ausina
1Departamento de Neumología, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona.
Background:
Fibrobronchoscopes (FB) require high level disinfection following each procedure to prevent possible infectious complications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate three methods of disinfection of the FB: a) aspiration with a solution of iodine povidone (IP); b) immersion in fenolate glutaraldehyde (FG) diluted at 1:16, and c) aspiration of IP solution followed by immersion in FG. Cleaning of the FB with soap and water was also studied.
Methods:
The FB was contaminated with artificial samples (sterilized respiratory secretions mixed with a suspension of a microorganism at a concentration of 10(8)-10(9) UFC/ml) and was later washed with soap and water and disinfected with one of the 3 above mentioned methods. Samples were taken following contamination, cleaning, the aspiration with IP and at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes in FG. The c/u/ml were counted. Disinfection was considered as a failure with > or = 1 c/u/ml at the end of each experience. This test was performed 97 times: 37 with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 17 with Serratia marcescens, 17 with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 13 with Staphylococcus aureus, and 13 with Candida albicans.
Results:
Cleaning with soap and water eliminated a mean of 99.9% of the microorganisms. IP failed to disinfect all the 5 microorganisms while FG and the association of IP and FG failed against S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa. The time of immersion in FG required for complete disinfection range from 5 to 20 minutes although in most cases only 5 to 10 minutes were needed.
Conclusions:
The meticulous cleaning of the FB is essential for correct disinfection. Iodine povidone does not guarantee high level disinfection of the device while fenolate glutaraldehyde and iodine povidone plus fenolate glutaraldehyde may fail versus S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa.
Insights
Thorough cleaning is crucial for fibrobronchoscope disinfection. While fenolate glutaraldehyde offers some disinfection, neither it nor iodine povidone guarantees complete elimination of all microorganisms, including Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Disease Prevention
- Sterilization and Disinfection Technologies
Background:
- Fibrobronchoscopes (FB) require high-level disinfection to prevent infectious complications.
- Evaluating disinfection efficacy is critical for patient safety in procedures involving FBs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of three disinfection methods for fibrobronchoscopes.
- To compare iodine povidone (IP) aspiration, fenolate glutaraldehyde (FG) immersion, and a combined IP and FG approach.
Main Methods:
- Fibrobronchoscopes were contaminated with various microorganisms (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Serratia marcescens).
- Disinfection methods included soap and water cleaning, IP aspiration, FG immersion (1:16 dilution), and combined IP/FG treatment.
- Microbial counts were assessed after cleaning and disinfection steps.
Main Results:
- Soap and water cleaning removed 99.9% of microorganisms.
- Iodine povidone alone failed to disinfect all tested microorganisms.
- Fenolate glutaraldehyde and the combined method were ineffective against Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Complete disinfection with FG typically required 5-10 minutes of immersion.
Conclusions:
- Meticulous cleaning is a prerequisite for effective fibrobronchoscope disinfection.
- Iodine povidone alone does not achieve high-level disinfection.
- Fenolate glutaraldehyde and combined IP/FG methods may not be sufficient for complete disinfection against certain resilient bacteria.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Bioequivalence Experimental Study Designs: Completely Randomized and Randomized Block Designs
01:30Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
02:37Experimental Determination of Chemical Formula
02:15Experimental RNAi
01:16Experimental Designs
01:23Correlation of Experimental Data
For example, a spherical particle moving through a viscous fluid experiences drag. Dimensional analysis shows that the drag force depends on the particle's diameter, velocity,...