Endoscopy - related bacteremia. Incidence of positive blood cultures after endoscopy of upper gastrointestinal tract.

A prospective study was undertaken to determine the frequency of bacteremia after endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Three of 100 patients (3%) demonstrated positive blood cultures after the endoscopic procedure. Bacteriologic surveys disclosed that routine cleansing procedures of the endoscopy room and the endoscope itself frequently failed to achieve optimal sterile conditions. Particularly noteworthy was the growth of Enterobacter liquefaciens and Candida albicans on one occasion from the endoscope tip. We conclude that, although the incidence of postendoscopy positive blood cultures is low, a more vigorous approach to using clean equipment in clean surroundings is needed when dealing with a potentially susceptible host.