Infected Cork Closures and Apparent Survival of Organisms in Antiseptic Solutions

Introduction of biocides into clinical practice and the impact on antibiotic-resistant bacteria

“…pyocyanea (aeruginosa) could contaminate cetrimide and other fluids. This finding has since been amply confirmed by other authors (Keown et al 1957;Anderson and Keynes 1958;Anon 1958a, b;Plotkin and Austrian 1958;Malizia et al 1960;Lee and Fialkow 1961;Mitchell and Hayward 1966;Burdon and Whitby 1967;Adair et al 1969Adair et al , 1971Bassett et al 1970;Hardy et al 1970;Sanford 1970;Bassett 1971;Bruun and Digranes 1971;Parker 1971;Phillips et al 1971;Speller et al 1971;Hoffman et al 1973;Dixon et al 1976;Frank and Schnaffner 1976;Kaslow et al 1976;Morris et al 1976;Ehrenkranz et al 1980;Seal 1983;Jones et al 1989;Joyson et al 1999). In most of these publications, Ps.…”

Microbial contamination of disinfectants and antiseptics in four major hospitals in Trinidad

“…This is because aerobic bacteria were not detected in any of the disinfectant/antiseptic samples from the two of the four hospitals where disinfectant containers are subjected to a high temperature while undergoing two cycles each of wash and rinse, followed by autoclaving at 255 °F at 15 lb per square inch of pressure (124 °C at 1.055 kg/cm 2 ) for 7 to 10 min. Contaminated containers can contaminate disinfectants (21,28).…”

Contamination of hospital disinfectants with Pseudomonas species.

“…Lowbury (1951) concluded that contamination in bottles was being maintained by showers of bacteria from the cork. Anderson and Keynes (1958) concluded that the organisms did not actually survive in the disinfectant they were investigating (cetrimide) but that organisms were released from the cork when it was removed and thus passed out of the bottle with the disinfectant. Linton and George (1966) described a substance, probably a tannin present in cork (and tea), which is a very potent inactivator of chlorhexidine.…”