Heterotrophic Bacterial Growth on Hoses in a Neonatal Water Distribution System
2010
Buffet-Bataillon, Sylvie, Service de Bacteriologie, Virologie et Hygiene Hospitaliere, Pole Microorganismes et Hygiene Hospitaliere, CHU de Rennes, France | Bonnaure-Mallet, Martine, Service de Bacteriologie, Virologie et Hygiene Hospitaliere, Pole Microorganismes et Hygiene Hospitaliere, CHU de Rennes, France | Pintiere, Armelle de la, Unite de Neonatalogie, Pole Medecine de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, CHU de Rennes, France | Defawe, Guy, Unite de Neonatalogie, Pole Medecine de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent, CHU de Rennes, France | Gautier-Lerestif, Anne Lise, Universite de Rennes 1, Universite Europeenne de Bretagne, Rennes, France | Fauveau, Severine, Service de Bacteriologie, Virologie et Hygiene Hospitaliere, Pole Microorganismes et Hygiene Hospitaliere, CHU de Rennes, France | Minet, Jacques, Service de Bacteriologie, Virologie et Hygiene Hospitaliere, Pole Microorganismes et Hygiene Hospitaliere, CHU de Rennes, France
After preliminary tests indicated an increased number of heterotrophic bacteria, we investigated possible sources of contamination in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) water distribution system. Scanning electron microscopic examination of flexible metallic hoses associated with the system revealed the presence of a biofilm; partial 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that the biofilm contained Blastomonas natatoria. Purgation of the water system three times a day, reinforced faucet cleaning, decreasing the cold water temperature to 12℃, and six repeated chlorinations at concentrations as high as 2 mg/l were not sufficient to eradicate the bacterial contamination. Replacing all of the rubber-interior flexible metallic hoses with teflon-lined hoses, followed by heating the water to 70℃, successfully controlled the bacteria.
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