[Efficacy of Peracetic Acid (EndoPA) for Disinfection of Endoscopes].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of peracetic acid (EndoPA Firson Co., Ltd., Cheonan, Korea) in disinfecting endoscopes.

METHODS

We prospectively investigated the gastroscopes (Part I) utilized in 100 gastroscopic examinations and colonoscopes (Part II) utilized in 30 colonoscopic examinations after disinfecting them with 0.2% peracetic acid (EndoPA Firson Co., Ltd.). These instruments had been collected consecutively throughout the study period. We reprocessed and disinfected the endoscopes according to the guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting gastrointestinal endoscopes laid down by the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in 2017. Three culture samples were obtained from each examination, based on different sampling methods. The primary outcome was a positive culture rate.

RESULTS

In Part I of our study, two of 300 samples were positive. The culture positive rate after disinfection was 0.7% (2/300). The culture positive rate was not significantly different based on the exposure time to EndoPA or the age of the scopes (p=0.7 or 0.2, respectively). In Part II of our study, all samples (n=90) were negative.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that 0.2% peracetic acid (EndoPA) appears to be a good disinfectant for both gastroscopes and colonoscopes.