Escherichia coli Archives - Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem

ABSTRACT

Objectives:

to evaluate the microbial load and adherence of Escherichia coli in different areas of the surgical instrument surface exposed to experimental contamination over time.

Methods:

experimental study in which fragments of crile forceps (serrated, rod and rack) were contaminated by immersion in Tryptic Soy Broth, containing 10⁶ CFU/mL of E. coli, for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hours. Microbial load and bacterial adherence were evaluated using microbiological culture and scanning electron microscopy, respectively.

Results:

there was an increase in the microbial load on the surgical instrument, proportional to the contamination interval, ranging from 10² after 1 hour to 10⁵ CFU/cm² in 24 hours. The presence of exopolysaccharide was detected after two hours of contamination.

Conclusions:

microbial load and adhesion of E. coli increased over time, reaching 10⁵ CFU/cm² after 24 hours of contamination, starting biofilm formation after two hours.