IMPACT OF ATYPICAL MYCOBACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF BRONCHOSCOPY ON PATIENT CARE : REPORT OF AN OUTBREAK AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Respiratory secretions obtained using a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope can be contaminated by environmental mycobacteria. This unusual occurrence requires a stringent review of specimen handling and equipment maintenance to detect the source of contamination. We report the contamination of 13 bronchial washings by Mycobacterium gordonae that occurred over a 12-month period at our institution. The role of an automatic disinfection machine as the source for atypical mycobacteria is emphasized. We reviewed our series as well as the medical literature to determine the impact on patient management after contamination of bronchoscopy specimens by atypical mycobacteria.