PERSISTENCE OF MICROFLORA IN BIOFILM WITHIN FLUID PATHWAYS OF CONTEMPORARY HEMODIALYSIS MONITORS (GAMBRO AK-10)

Growth of bacteria within a biofilm, visible macroscopically as a yellow coating, was seen on the interior walls of semi-transparent plastic dialysis monitor fluid pipes. The level of bacterial growth along the water/ dialysis fluid pathway, and the effect of in-line bacterial filters, on colony counts in reverse osmosis reject water and monitor effluent were examined. Little difference in colony counts was seen at either sampling point in monitors fitted with and without filters. Because of the increasing use of high-flux dialysis, and its potential for transmembrane transport of endotoxin and bacteria into patients, staff should be aware that dialysis fluid pathways may be colonized with viable bacteria, which are not readily killed by conventional heat and chemical cleaning processes. © 1994.