The Principles of Medical Device Decontamination

These can range from the more complex to the simplest forms and can be grouped as in Table 1.1 below.

Organism Group

Eucaryote / Procaryote

Infection Examples

Worms (e.g. pinworm) and ectoparasites (e.g. scabies) may be visible to the naked eye but others (e.g. filarial worms) are microscopic as are the ova and cysts of larger organisms in these groups (e.g. tape worm ova) Gut associated infections (e.g. giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis, amoebiasis), blood borne (e.g. malaria, babesiosis) and deep seated infection as in toxoplasmosis, which can infect eye, lymph nodes and brain Superficial infections – dermatophytes (ringworm), nail infections – vaginal thrush (candidiasis) to more serious disease – disseminated fungal infection, respiratory aspergillosis. Community acquired e.g. impetigo (streptococcal), boils (staphylococcal), gastrointestinal (salmonellosis) to healthcare associated e.g. surgical site infections (staphylococcal, streptococcal), intra- abdominal (mixed infections with Gram negative, positive and anaerobic bacteria)

Parasites

Eucaryote

Protozoa

Eucaryote

Fungi

Eucaryote

Bacteria

Procaryote

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