Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with a contaminated endoscope.

Within a 3-week period, 2 patients developed Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A contaminated endoscope which was found to be the source of the outbreak was later successfully disinfected. The importance of proper disinfection of such equipment cannot be overemphasized.