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A Pseudoepidemic of Pulmonary Fungal Infections Related to Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Charles J. Schleupner*
Affiliation:
Medical Service and Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Salem, Virginia University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
John R. Hamilton
Affiliation:
Medical Service and Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Salem, Virginia University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia
*
University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908

Abstract

During a three-week period a pseudoepidemic of fungal infections occurred involving patients from two different services. Trichosporon cutaneum and a Penicillium species were isolated from bronchial washings and sputa obtained after fiberoptic bronchoscopy on eight clinically uninfected patients. Investigation revealed contamination of cocaine solutions used for topical anesthesia during bronchoscopy. Contamination is thought to have occurred during preparation of the solutions by pharmacy personnel. Revision of techniques used in formulating and dispensing the solutions resulted in cessation of the pseudoepidemic.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1980

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