Endoscopy and hepatitis transmission:

In the wake of a report of endoscopy-related transmission of hepatitis C virus(1), we have received requests for information about the efficacy of glutaradehyde based disinfectants, such as Wavicide-01, against HCV. The incident in question was caused by poor processing of the scope and not by disinfectant failure (2). The endoscope had not been properly cleaned and had been immersed in disinfectant for only five minutes. According to APIC, glutaraldehyde is still recommended as one of the preferred agents for high level disinfection of endoscopes(3).

1. Bronowicki JP, et al. Patient-to-patient transmission of hepatitis C virus during colonscopy. N Eng J Med 1997; 337:237-240.
2. Alvarado CJ. Reichelderfer M. APIC guideline for infection prevention and control in flexible endoscopy. Am J Infect Control 2000; 28:138-55 (http://www.apic.org/pdf/gdendosc.pdf).
3. Ibid, pg. 147.