The polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) channel model of cyclic-buildup biofilm and traditional biofilm: The impact of friction, and detergent on cleaning and subsequent high-level disinfection

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of detergent and friction on removal of traditional biofilm and cyclic-buildup biofilm (CBB) from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) channels and to evaluate the efficacy of glutaraldehyde to kill residual bacteria after cleaning. Methods: PTFE channels were exposed to artificial test soil containing 108 CFU/mL of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis, followed by full cleaning and high-level disinfection (HLD) for five repeated rounds to establish CBB. For traditional biofilm, the HLD step was omitted. Cleaning with enzymatic and alkaline detergents, bristle brush, and Pull Thru channel cleaner were compared to a water flush only. Carbohydrate, protein, viable count, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were analyzed and atomic force microscopy (AFM) was performed. Results: In the absence of friction, cleaning of traditional biofilm and CBB was not effective compared to the positive control (Dunn-Bonferroni tests; P > .05) regardless of the detergent used. ATP, protein, and carbohydrate analyses were unable to detect traditional biofilm or CBB. The AFM analysis showed that fixation resulted in CBB being smoother and more compact than traditional biofilm. Conclusion: Friction during the cleaning process was a critical parameter regardless of the detergent used for removal of either traditional biofilm or CBB. Glutaraldehyde effectively killed the remaining microorganisms regardless of the cleaning method used.

Allium ursinum and Allium oschaninii against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans Mono- and Polymicrobic Biofilms in In Vitro Static and Dynamic Models

“…Considering that, physical properties of support, including hydrophobicity, surface roughness, and electrostatic charges are important for the initial attachment step of bacteria and yeast [45], our results indicate that extracting some of the natural sulfur compounds through a rapid temperature control method to avoid the volatilization on extraction with the Naviglio's method, exhibited promising eradication activities on mono-and polymicrobial biofilms, also when grown in CDC reactor, and they warrant more consideration as prospective antimicrobials.…”

Cleaning of in-hospital flexible endoscopes: Limitations and challenges

“…In other studies 32 - 33 , positive tests of protein applied in the endoscope channels also had an important relationship with non-adherence to the recommendations in the cleaning stage. In an experimental study it was clearly shown that absence of friction of the channels during cleaning can directly imply maintenance of microorganisms in these structures after processing, which can impair safe use of the equipment 33 .…”

Limpieza de endoscopios flexibles intrahospitalarios: limitaciones y desafíos

“…Los resultados positivos de las pruebas de proteína aplicadas a los canales de los endoscopios en otros estudios (32)(33) también tuvieron una relación importante con la no adherencia a las recomendaciones en la etapa de limpieza. En un estudio experimental, se demostró claramente que la ausencia de fricción en los canales durante la limpieza puede implicar directamente que permanecen microorganismos en estas estructuras después del procesamiento, lo que puede generar que el uso de los equipos no sea seguro (33) .…”