Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology (한국미생물·생명공학회)
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Heterotrophic Bacterial Growth on Hoses in a Neonatal Water Distribution System

  • Buffet-Bataillon, Sylvie (Service de Bacteriologie, Virologie et Hygiene Hospitaliere, Pole Microorganismes et Hygiene Hospitaliere) ;
  • Bonnaure-Mallet, Martine (Service de Bacteriologie, Virologie et Hygiene Hospitaliere, Pole Microorganismes et Hygiene Hospitaliere) ;
  • De La Pintiere, Armelle (Unite de Neonatalogie, Pole Medecine de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent) ;
  • Defawe, Guy (Unite de Neonatalogie, Pole Medecine de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent) ;
  • Gautier-Lerestif, Anne Lise (Equipe de Microbiologie, EA 1254, Universite de Rennes 1, Universite Europeenne de Bretagne) ;
  • Fauveau, Severine (Service de Bacteriologie, Virologie et Hygiene Hospitaliere, Pole Microorganismes et Hygiene Hospitaliere) ;
  • Minet, Jacques (Service de Bacteriologie, Virologie et Hygiene Hospitaliere, Pole Microorganismes et Hygiene Hospitaliere)
  • Received : 2009.06.22
  • Accepted : 2009.09.24
  • Published : 2010.04.28
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Abstract

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 $12^{\circ}C$, 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 $70^{\circ}C$, successfully controlled the bacteria.

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