Gram-negative water bacteria in hemodialysis systems.

Gram-negative bacteria can multiply relatively fast in a variety of hospital associated fluids ranging from distilled, deionized, reverse osmosis, and softened water, which are normally considered devoid of nutrients, to intravenous solutions and fluids associated with hemodialysis. Excessive levels of these bacteria in the dialysate of artificial kidney machines can be responsible for pyrogenic reactions or sepsis or both.