Design of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Duodenoscopes May Impede Effective Cleaning: FDA Safety Communication
Date Issued: February 19, 2015
Audience:
- Gastroenterologists
 - Gastrointestinal surgeons
 - Endoscopy nurses
 - Staff working in endoscopy reprocessing units in health care facilities
 - Infection control practitioners
 - Patients considering endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures
 
Medical Specialties: Gastroenterology, Infection Control
Device: All ERCP endoscopes (side-viewing duodenoscopes)
Figure 1: Close-up view of an ERCP endoscope tip.
Purpose:
The FDA wants to raise awareness among health care professionals, including 
those working in reprocessing units in health care facilities, that the complex 
design of ERCP endoscopes (also called duodenoscopes) may impede effective 
reprocessing. Reprocessing is a detailed, multistep process to clean and 
disinfect or sterilize reusable devices. Recent medical publications and adverse 
event reports associate multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in patients who 
have undergone ERCP with reprocessed duodenoscopes, even when manufacturer 
reprocessing instructions are followed correctly. Meticulously cleaning 
duodenoscopes prior to high-level disinfection should reduce the risk of 
transmitting infection, but may not entirely eliminate it.
Summary of Problem and Scope: 
More than 500,000 ERCP procedures using duodenoscopes are performed in the 
United States annually. The procedure is the least invasive way of draining 
fluids from pancreatic and biliary ducts blocked by cancerous tumors, 
gallstones, or other conditions. Duodenoscopes are flexible, lighted tubes that 
are threaded through the mouth, throat, stomach, and into the top of the small 
intestine (the duodenum). They contain a hollow channel that allows the 
injection of contrast dye or the insertion of other instruments to obtain tissue 
samples for biopsy or treat certain abnormalities. Unlike most other endoscopes, 
duodenoscopes also have a movable “elevator” mechanism at the tip. The elevator 
mechanism changes the angle of the accessory exiting the accessory channel, 
which allows the instrument to access the ducts to treat problems with fluid 
drainage.
Although the complex design of duodenoscopes improves the efficiency and 
effectiveness of ERCP, it causes challenges for cleaning and high-level 
disinfection. Some parts of the scopes may be extremely difficult to access and 
effective cleaning of all areas of the duodenoscope may not be possible. In 
addition, a recent FDA engineering assessment and a growing body of literature 
have identified design issues in duodenoscopes that complicate reprocessing of 
these devices. For example, one step of the manual cleaning instructions in 
device labeling is to brush the elevator area. However, the moving parts of the 
elevator mechanism contain microscopic crevices that may not be reached with a 
brush. Residual body fluids and organic debris may remain in these crevices 
after cleaning and disinfection. If these fluids contain microbial 
contamination, subsequent patients may be exposed to serious infections.
The FDA is closely monitoring the association between reprocessed 
duodenoscopes and the transmission of infectious agents, including 
multidrug-resistant bacterial infections caused by Carbapenem-Resistant 
Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) such as Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli. In 
total, from January 2013 through December 2014, the FDA received 75 MDRs 
encompassing approximately 135 patients in the United States relating to 
possible microbial transmission from reprocessed duodenoscopes. It is possible 
that not all cases have been reported to the FDA. The agency is continuing to 
evaluate information about documented and potential infections from multiple 
sources, including Medical Device Reports (MDRs) submitted to the FDA, the 
medical literature, the health care community, professional medical societies, 
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Recommendations for Facilities and Staff that Reprocess ERCP Duodenoscopes: 
Follow closely all manufacturer instructions for cleaning and processing. 
The FDA recommends adherence to general endoscope reprocessing guidelines and 
practices established by the infection control community and endoscopy 
professionals, as described in the Additional Resources section, below. In 
addition, it is important to follow specific reprocessing instructions in the 
manufacturer’s labeling for each device. Even though duodenoscopes are 
inherently difficult to reprocess, strict adherence to the manufacturer’s 
reprocessing instructions will minimize the risk of infection. Deviations from 
the manufacturer's instructions for reprocessing may contribute to 
contamination. The benefit of using cleaning accessories not specified in the 
manufacturer’s instructions, such as channel flushing aids, brushes, and 
cleaning agents, is not known. Report problems with reprocessing the device to 
the manufacturer and to the FDA, as described below. Follow these additional 
general best practices: Meticulously clean the elevator mechanism and the 
recesses surrounding the elevator mechanism by hand, even when using an 
automated endoscope reprocessor (AER). Raise and lower the elevator throughout 
the manual cleaning process to allow brushing of both sides. Implement a 
comprehensive quality control program for reprocessing duodenoscopes. Your 
reprocessing program should include written procedures for monitoring training 
and adherence to the program, and documentation of equipment tests, processes, 
and quality monitors used during the reprocessing procedure. Refer to the 
Multisociety Guideline on Reprocessing Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes: 
2011 disclaimer icon consensus document for evidence-based recommendations for 
endoscope reprocessing. Recommendations for Health Care Providers:
Inform patients of the benefits and risks associated with ERCP procedures. 
Discuss with your patients what they should expect following the ERCP procedure 
and what symptoms (such as fever or chills, chest pain, severe abdominal pain, 
trouble swallowing or breathing, nausea and vomiting, or black or tarry stools) 
should prompt additional follow-up. Consider taking a duodenoscope out of 
service until it has been verified to be free of pathogens if a patient develops 
an infection with a multidrug-resistant organism following ERCP, and you suspect 
that there may be a link between the duodenoscope and the infection. Submit a 
report to the manufacturer and to the FDA via MedWatch, as described below, if 
you suspect that problems with reprocessing a duodenoscope have led to patient 
infections. Recommendations for Patients:
Discuss the benefits and risks of procedures using duodenoscopes with your 
physician. For most patients, the benefits of ERCP outweigh the risks of 
infection. ERCP often treats life-threatening conditions that can lead to 
serious health consequences if not addressed. Ask your doctor what to expect 
following the procedure and when to seek medical attention. Following ERCP, many 
patients may experience mild symptoms such as a sore throat or mild abdominal 
discomfort. Call your doctor if, following your procedure, you have a fever or 
chills, or other symptoms that may be a sign of a more serious problem (such as 
chest pain, severe abdominal pain, trouble swallowing or breathing, nausea and 
vomiting, or black or tarry stools). FDA Activities:
The FDA is actively engaged with other government agencies, including CDC, 
and the manufacturers of duodenoscopes used in the United States to identify the 
causes and risk factors for transmission of infectious agents and develop 
solutions to minimize patient exposure. Recent FDA activities include:
Collaboration with CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to 
test the antibiotic-resistant organisms to assess their susceptibility to 
high-level disinfectants. Exploration, with CDC, of additional potential 
strategies to reduce the risk of infections, such as microbiological 
surveillance testing of duodenoscopes. Communication with international public 
health agencies to study the extent of the problem and identify possible 
solutions being considered outside the United States. Reviews of reprocessing 
validation data from each of the three manufacturers marketing duodenoscopes in 
the United States (FUJIFILM, Olympus, and Pentax). The FDA continues to actively 
monitor this situation and will provide updates as appropriate.
Reporting Problems to the FDA: 
Device manufacturers and user facilities must comply with the applicable 
Medical Device Reporting (MDR) regulations.
Health care personnel employed by facilities that are subject to the FDA's 
user facility reporting requirements should follow the reporting procedures 
established by their facilities.
Prompt reporting of adverse events can help the FDA identify and better 
understand the risks associated with medical devices. Health care providers 
should submit voluntary reports of the transmission of an infection due to an 
inadequately cleaned duodenoscope to the agency via the Medical Device Reporting 
(MDR) process.
If, after following the manufacturer’s reprocessing instructions, a health 
care provider suspects bacterial contamination—either because of an increase in 
infections after ERCP, or because of the results of bacterial surveillance 
culturing of duodenoscopes—we encourage the health care provider to file a 
voluntary report through MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event 
Reporting program.
Additional Resources: 
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Multisociety Guideline on 
Reprocessing Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes: 2011 disclaimer icon Society 
of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates: Standards of Infection Control in 
Reprocessing of Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes disclaimer icon FDA: 
Reprocessing of Reusable Medical Devices FDA: Preventing Cross-Contamination in 
Endoscope Processing: FDA Safety Communication References:
Alrabaa SF, Nguyen P, Sanderson R, et al. June 2013. Early Identification 
and Control of Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Originating from 
Contaminated Endoscopic Equipment. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23171594
Aumeran C, Poincloux L, Souweine B, et al. November 2010. 
Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae Outbreak After Endoscopic Retrograde 
Cholangiopancreatography. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20725887
Epstein L, Hunter JC, Arwady MA, et al. October 2014. New Delhi 
Metallo-β-Lactamase–Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia Coli Associated 
with Exposure to Duodenoscopes. Retrieved from http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1911326
Rutala WA and Weber DJ. October 2014. Gastrointestinal Endoscopes: A Need 
to Shift From Disinfection to Sterilization? Retrieved from http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1911309
Verfaillie C, Bruno M, Poley, JW, et al. Withdrawal of a Duodenoscope Stops 
Outbreak by A Vim-2 Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. [Abstract] Retrieved from http://www.icaaconline.com/php/icaac2014abstracts/data/papers/2014/K-1685.htm
Contact Information:
If you have questions about this communication, please contact the Division 
of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) at DICE@FDA.HHS.GOV, 800-638-2041 or 
301-796-7100. 
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Healthcare Settings 
CRE, which stands for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, are a family 
of germs that are difficult to treat because they have high levels of resistance 
to antibiotics. Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are examples 
of Enterobacteriaceae, a normal part of the human gut bacteria, that can become 
carbapenem-resistant. Types of CRE are sometimes known as KPC (Klebsiella 
pneumoniae carbapenemase) and NDM (New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase). KPC and 
NDM are enzymes that break down carbapenems and make them ineffective. Both of 
these enzymes, as well as the enzyme VIM (Verona Integron-Mediated 
Metallo-β-lactamase) have also been reported in Pseudomonas.
Healthy people usually do not get CRE infections – they usually happen to 
patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. Patients 
whose care requires devices like ventilators (breathing machines), urinary 
(bladder) catheters, or intravenous (vein) catheters, and patients who are 
taking long courses of certain antibiotics are most at risk for CRE 
infections.
Some CRE bacteria have become resistant to most available antibiotics. 
Infections with these germs are very difficult to treat, and can be deadly—one 
report cites they can contribute to death in up to 50% of patients who become 
infected.
*** just looking over the recent enforcement reports from FDA on Endoscopy 
Equipment, I recall a recent report just a few months ago, a lengthy one, but I 
don’t recall what the concern was? something about ;
‘’The parameters provided in the Laparoscopic Manual Instruments 
Instructions for Use (IFU 1000-401-070 Revision G or prior) do not support the 
unwrapped Gravity cycle and the Ethylene Oxide cycle sterilization 
methods’’
to many to list here, they all take up about 4/5 of the page. please see 
link below and scroll down, you can’t miss all of them ;
Enforcement Report - Week of December 24, 2014
see other FDA enforcement reports here ;
CDC Statement: Los Angeles County/UCLA investigation of CRE transmission and duodenoscopes
Currently, CDC is providing consultation to the Los Angeles County Health Department as it investigates, in collaboration with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, a cluster of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) cases. In this investigation, exposure to duodenoscopes—a device inserted down the throat and used in a lifesaving procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)—was associated with transmission of CRE.
The duodenoscope is different than the endoscope used for routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or colonoscopy. The duodenoscope is more intricate than other endoscopes and can be difficult to clean and disinfect.
Infections caused by CRE are generally found in hospitalized patients or residents in long-term-care facilities. ERCP is an important and potentially lifesaving medical procedure that allows doctors to evaluate and remove blockages from the channels (bile and pancreatic ducts) that drain a patient’s liver. Use of this device can potentially avoid the need for more invasive procedures such as surgery.
Investigators of previous outbreaks of CRE related to duodenoscopes have identified recognized breaches of approved cleaning protocols. In other outbreaks
This investigation highlights the challenging and complicated nature of duodenoscope reprocessing and the potential for CRE transmission. Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a safety communication about duodenoscopes: http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm434871.htm
CDC continues to investigate and work with FDA and others on the optimal protocols for endoscope reprocessing. At this time, CDC recommends facilities reprocess endoscopes as directed by the manufacturer, typically high-level disinfection. Although sterilization is the definitive mechanism to eradicate all microorganisms during reprocessing, several issues potentially limit its widespread use, including longer processing and aeration time than with disinfection, toxicity of some sterilizing agents, and potential incompatibility with some duodenoscope devices. Until more is known, it is important for facilities to be aware of the potential risk of CRE transmission and that they adhere strictly to the recommended reprocessing practices, particularly manual cleaning and drying.
CDC is working with partners including FDA, the device manufacturers, specialty societies, subject matter experts, and state and local health departments to further understand and address the possibility of CRE transmission related to duodenoscopes in the following ways:
- investigate potential CRE transmission
 - determine which duodenoscope models are potentially impacted;
 - evaluate duodenoscope cleaning, drying, and disinfection;
 - assess the feasibility of using microbiologic sampling cultures to evaluate a facility’s duodenoscope cleaning methods and identify if bacterial contamination remains after cleaning; and
 
The risk to patients of CRE infection following ERCP is low and, for most patients, the benefits of this potentially lifesaving procedure outweigh the risks.
Combating antibiotic-resistant infections is a top priority of the Administration. The President’s FY 2016 Budget nearly doubles the amount of federal funding for combating and preventing antibiotic resistance to more than $1.2 billion. In September 2014, President Obama signed Executive Order 13676 launching Federal efforts to combat the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The Administration has also issued its National Strategy on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, which outlines steps the U.S. government will take to improve prevention, detection, and control of resistant pathogens.
This outbreak also highlights the importance of CDC and state health departments working collaboratively to identify and stop outbreaks of antibiotic resistant pathogens. In the FY 16 budget, CDC has requested funding to support State Antibiotic Resistance Prevention Programs in all 50 states and 10 large cities and a regional lab network to help identify and to respond faster to these outbreaks. This funding would provide critical national infrastructure to prevent the growing threat of CRE and other drug-resistant pathogens.
http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/cdcstatement-LA-CRE.html
Original 
Investigation | October 8, 2014 
New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase–Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli Associated With Exposure to Duodenoscopes
[+] Author Affiliations 
1Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 
2Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
3Illinois Department of Public Health, Chicago, Illinois
4Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, Illinois
5Cook County Department of Public Health, Oak Forest, Illinois
6Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago, Illinois
2Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Scientific Education and Professional Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
3Illinois Department of Public Health, Chicago, Illinois
4Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, Illinois
5Cook County Department of Public Health, Oak Forest, Illinois
6Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago, Illinois
Published online 
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT | 
INTRODUCTION | 
METHODS | 
RESULTS | 
DISCUSSION | 
CONCLUSIONS | 
ARTICLE INFORMATION | REFERENCES 
Importance  
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) producing the New Delhi 
metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) are rare in the United States, but have the potential 
to add to the increasing CRE burden. Previous NDM-producing CRE clusters have 
been attributed to person-to-person transmission in health care 
facilities.
Objective To identify a source for, and interrupt transmission of, NDM-producing CRE in a northeastern Illinois hospital.
Design, Setting, and Participants Outbreak investigation among 39 case patients at a tertiary care hospital in northeastern Illinois, including a case-control study, infection control assessment, and collection of environmental and device cultures; patient and environmental isolate relatedness was evaluated with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Following identification of a likely source, targeted patient notification and CRE screening cultures were performed.
Main Outcomes and Measures Association between exposure and acquisition of NDM-producing CRE; results of environmental cultures and organism typing.
Results In total, 39 case patients were identified from January 2013 through December 2013, 35 with duodenoscope exposure in 1 hospital. No lapses in duodenoscope reprocessing were identified; however, NDM-producing Escherichia coli was recovered from a reprocessed duodenoscope and shared more than 92% similarity to all case patient isolates by PFGE. Based on the case-control study, case patients had significantly higher odds of being exposed to a duodenoscope (odds ratio [OR], 78 [95% CI, 6.0-1008], P < .001). After the hospital changed its reprocessing procedure from automated high-level disinfection with ortho-phthalaldehyde to gas sterilization with ethylene oxide, no additional case patients were identified.
Conclusions and Relevance In this investigation, exposure to duodenoscopes with bacterial contamination was associated with apparent transmission of NDM-producing E coli among patients at 1 hospital. Bacterial contamination of duodenoscopes appeared to persist despite the absence of recognized reprocessing lapses. Facilities should be aware of the potential for transmission of bacteria including antimicrobial-resistant organisms via this route and should conduct regular reviews of their duodenoscope reprocessing procedures to ensure optimal manual cleaning and disinfection.
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1911326
 
 
 
 
  
Objective To identify a source for, and interrupt transmission of, NDM-producing CRE in a northeastern Illinois hospital.
Design, Setting, and Participants Outbreak investigation among 39 case patients at a tertiary care hospital in northeastern Illinois, including a case-control study, infection control assessment, and collection of environmental and device cultures; patient and environmental isolate relatedness was evaluated with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Following identification of a likely source, targeted patient notification and CRE screening cultures were performed.
Main Outcomes and Measures Association between exposure and acquisition of NDM-producing CRE; results of environmental cultures and organism typing.
Results In total, 39 case patients were identified from January 2013 through December 2013, 35 with duodenoscope exposure in 1 hospital. No lapses in duodenoscope reprocessing were identified; however, NDM-producing Escherichia coli was recovered from a reprocessed duodenoscope and shared more than 92% similarity to all case patient isolates by PFGE. Based on the case-control study, case patients had significantly higher odds of being exposed to a duodenoscope (odds ratio [OR], 78 [95% CI, 6.0-1008], P < .001). After the hospital changed its reprocessing procedure from automated high-level disinfection with ortho-phthalaldehyde to gas sterilization with ethylene oxide, no additional case patients were identified.
Conclusions and Relevance In this investigation, exposure to duodenoscopes with bacterial contamination was associated with apparent transmission of NDM-producing E coli among patients at 1 hospital. Bacterial contamination of duodenoscopes appeared to persist despite the absence of recognized reprocessing lapses. Facilities should be aware of the potential for transmission of bacteria including antimicrobial-resistant organisms via this route and should conduct regular reviews of their duodenoscope reprocessing procedures to ensure optimal manual cleaning and disinfection.
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1911326
not that it matters much, but I tried warning the fda and manufactures of 
endoscopy equipment over 14 years ago of risk factors from the TSE Prion aka mad 
cow type disease and endoscopy equipment. again, nobody listened.
you might want to look at the December 2014 FDA recall list I listed in 
this blog. I do not advertise or make money from this research I do on the 
science. it is for educational use. just made a promise to mom, never forget, 
and never let them forget...
kind regards, terry
see other super bugs i.e. MRSA ;
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Livestock Origin for a Human Pandemic Clone of Community-Associated 
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus 
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Antibiotic resistance threats in the United States, 2013 THREAT REPORT 
http://staphmrsa.blogspot.com/2013/09/antibiotic-resistance-threats-in-united.html 
http://staphmrsa.blogspot.com/ 
 Thursday, September 18, 2014
New Executive Actions to Combat Antibiotic Resistance and Protect Public 
Health 
 what about Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy TSE PRION disease (aka 
mad cow type disease) and Endoscopy Equipment ? 
 *** 1: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1994 Jun;57(6):757-8
Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease to a chimpanzee by electrodes 
contaminated during neurosurgery.
Gibbs CJ Jr, Asher DM, Kobrine A, Amyx HL, Sulima MP, Gajdusek DC.
Laboratory of Central Nervous System Studies, National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health,
Bethesda, MD 20892.
Stereotactic multicontact electrodes used to probe the cerebral cortex of a 
middle aged woman with progressive dementia were previously implicated in the 
accidental transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) to two younger 
patients. The diagnoses of CJD have been confirmed for all three cases. More 
than two years after their last use in humans, after three cleanings and 
repeated sterilisation in ethanol and formaldehyde vapour, the electrodes were 
implanted in the cortex of a chimpanzee. Eighteen months later the animal became 
ill with CJD. This finding serves to re-emphasise the potential danger posed by 
reuse of instruments contaminated with the agents of spongiform 
encephalopathies, even after scrupulous attempts to clean them. 
PMID: 8006664 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] 
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8006664&dopt=Abstract 
Monday, November 3, 2014 
Persistence of ovine scrapie infectivity in a farm environment following 
cleaning and decontamination
Friday, January 30, 2015
*** Scrapie: a particularly persistent pathogen ***
full text and more here ;
Infectious agent of sheep scrapie may persist in the environment for at 
least 16 years
Gudmundur Georgsson1, Sigurdur Sigurdarson2 and Paul Brown3 
New studies on the heat resistance of hamster-adapted scrapie agent: 
Threshold survival after ashing at 600°C suggests an inorganic template of 
replication 
Prion Infected Meat-and-Bone Meal Is Still Infectious after Biodiesel 
Production 
Detection of protease-resistant cervid prion protein in water from a 
CWD-endemic area 
A Quantitative Assessment of the Amount of Prion Diverted to Category 1 
Materials and Wastewater During Processing 
Rapid assessment of bovine spongiform encephalopathy prion inactivation by 
heat treatment in yellow grease produced in the industrial manufacturing process 
of meat and bone meals 
PPo4-4: 
Survival and Limited Spread of TSE Infectivity after Burial 
*** The potential impact of prion diseases on human health was greatly 
magnified by the recognition that interspecies transfer of BSE to humans by beef 
ingestion resulted in vCJD. While changes in animal feed constituents and 
slaughter practices appear to have curtailed vCJD, there is concern that CWD of 
free-ranging deer and elk in the U.S. might also cross the species barrier. 
Thus, consuming venison could be a source of human prion disease. Whether BSE 
and CWD represent interspecies scrapie transfer or are newly arisen prion 
diseases is unknown. Therefore, the possibility of transmission of prion disease 
through other food animals cannot be ruled out. There is evidence that vCJD can 
be transmitted through blood transfusion. There is likely a pool of unknown size 
of asymptomatic individuals infected with vCJD, and there may be asymptomatic 
individuals infected with the CWD equivalent. These circumstances represent a 
potential threat to blood, blood products, and plasma supplies. 
some old history on Endoscopy equipment and CJD TSE Prion concerns ;
1999
Subject: CJD * Olympus Endoscope 
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 16:41:49 –0500 
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr." 
To: GOLDSS@... 
Dear Dr. Goldstine, 
Hello Sir, I understand that Olympus has issued a letter to the medical 
institutions and the CDC, about the dangers of _not_ being able to decontaminate 
the instruments (endoscope's) via modern autoclaving techniques (boil 3 minutes 
in 3% SDS or another ionic detergent and autoclave for 1 hour at 134 degrees C). 
I understand that; "Olympus" has issued a warning, _not_ to attempt to 
decontaminate the instrument, that they are instructed to destroy them. 
(very very wise move); 
Please Sir, it is imminent that I receive a copy of this letter, it is very 
important. This could lead to other company's following through, and lead to 
awareness of the potential health threats from human T.S.E.'s and the risks 
through surgery, and not just from endoscopes. It would be most appreciated, if 
you could send a copy of this document to; 
Fax: xxxxx 
I look forward, to hearing back from you.... 
Many Thanks, 
Terry S. Singeltary Sr./ Mom DOD 12-14-97 hvCJD 
 Subject: Re: CJD * Olympus Endoscope 
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 15:57:03 –0500 
From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr." 
To: GOLDSS@... 
References: 1 
Dear Mr. Goldstine, Hello again, I hope the CDC has not changed your mind, 
since our phone call, about sending me the information, in which we spoke of. I 
am still waiting for the information, re-fax. Someone had told me, you would not 
send me the information, but I told them you would, due to the importance of it 
pertaining to public safety, and the fact, you are a Doctor. I hope you don't 
disappoint me, and the rest of the public, and hide the facts, as the CDC and 
NIH have for years. Olympus can be part of the Truth, or you can be part of the 
cover-up. We are going to find out, sooner or later. 
I already know, as do many more. 
Still waiting, 
Kind Regards, 
Terry S. Singeltary Sr. 
"Terry S. Singeltary Sr." wrote: 
Dear Dr. Goldstine, 
Hello Sir, I understand that Olympus has issued a letter to the medical 
institutions and the CDC, about the dangers of _not_ being able to decontaminate 
the instruments (endoscope's) via modern autoclaving techniques (boil 3 minutes 
in 3% SDS or another ionic detergent and autoclave for 1 hour at 134 degrees C). 
I understand that; "Olympus" has issued a warning, _not_ to attempt to 
decontaminate the instrument, that they are instructed to destroy them. 
(very very wise move); 
Please Sir, it is imminent that I receive a copy of this letter, it is very 
important. This could lead to other company's following through, and lead to 
awareness of the potential health threats from human T.S.E.'s and the risks 
through surgery, and not just from endoscopes. It would be most appreciated, if 
you could send a copy of this document to; 
Fax: xxxxxxx 
I look forward, to hearing back from you.... 
Many Thanks, 
Terry S. Singeltary Sr./ Mom DOD 12-14-97 hvCJD 
================================================================= 
Something I submitted to GUT previously; 
Subject: Re: gutjnl_el;21 Terry S. Singeltary Sr. (3 Jun 2002) "CJDs (all 
human TSEs) and Endoscopy Equipment" 
 Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2002 16:19:51 –0700 
 From: "Terry S. Singeltary Sr." 
 To: Professor Michael Farthing 
 CC: lcamp@BMJgroup.com 
 References: 001501c21099$5c8bc620$7c58d182@mfacdean1.cent.gla.ac.uk 
Greetings again Professor Farthing and BMJ, 
I was curious why my small rebuttal of the article described below was not 
listed in this month's journal of GUT? I had thought it was going to be 
published, but I do not have full text access. Will it be published in the 
future? Regardless, I thought would pass on a more lengthy rebuttal of mine on 
this topic, vCJD vs sCJDs and endoscopy equipment. I don't expect it to be 
published, but thought you might find it interesting, i hope you don't mind and 
hope to hear back from someone on the questions I posed... 
Here is my short submission I speak of, lengthy one to follow below that: 
Date submitted: 3 Jun 2002 
>> 
eLetter ID: gutjnl_el;21
>> >> Gut eLetter for Bramble and Ironside 50 (6): 888
>> >>Name: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. >>Email: flounder@wt.net
>>Title/position: disabled {neck injury}
>>Place of work: CJD WATCH
>>IP address: 216.119.162.85
>>Hostname: 216-119-162-85.ipset44.wt.net
>>Browser: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win98; en-US; rv:0.9.4)
>>Gecko/20011019 Netscape6/6.2
>> >>Parent ID: 50/6/888
>>Citation:
>> Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: implications for gastroenterology
>> M G Bramble and J W Ironside
>> Gut 2002; 50: 888-890 (Occasional viewpoint)
>> http://www.gutjnl.com/cgi/content/abstract/50/6/888
>> http://www.gutjnl.com/cgi/content/full/50/6/888
>> >> Gut eLetter for Bramble and Ironside 50 (6): 888
>> >>Name: Terry S. Singeltary Sr. >>Email: flounder@wt.net
>>Title/position: disabled {neck injury}
>>Place of work: CJD WATCH
>>IP address: 216.119.162.85
>>Hostname: 216-119-162-85.ipset44.wt.net
>>Browser: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win98; en-US; rv:0.9.4)
>>Gecko/20011019 Netscape6/6.2
>> >>Parent ID: 50/6/888
>>Citation:
>> Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: implications for gastroenterology
>> M G Bramble and J W Ironside
>> Gut 2002; 50: 888-890 (Occasional viewpoint)
>> http://www.gutjnl.com/cgi/content/abstract/50/6/888
>> http://www.gutjnl.com/cgi/content/full/50/6/888
>>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>>"CJDs (all human TSEs) and Endoscopy Equipment"
>>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>>"CJDs (all human TSEs) and Endoscopy Equipment"
>>-----------------------------------------------------------------
regarding your 
article; 
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: implications for gastroenterology 
>>I belong to several support groups for victims and relatives
>>of CJDs. Several years ago, I did a survey regarding
>>endoscopy equipment and how many victims of CJDs have
>>had any type of this procedure done. To my surprise, many
>>victims had some kind of endoscopy work done on them.
>>As this may not be a smoking gun, I think it should
>>warrant a 'red flag' of sorts, especially since data now
>>suggests a substantial TSE infectivity in the gut wall
>>of species infected with TSEs. If such transmissions
>>occur, the ramifications of spreading TSEs from
>>endoscopy equipment to the general public would be
>>horrible, and could potential amplify the transmission
>>of TSEs through other surgical procedures in that
>>persons life, due to long incubation and sub-clinical
>>infection. Science to date, has well established
>>transmission of sporadic CJDs with medical/surgical
>>procedures.
Terry S. Singeltary Sr. >>CJD WATCH
Again, many thanks, Kindest regards,
Terry S. Singeltary Sr. P.O. Box 42 Bacliff, Texas USA 77518 
flounder@wt.net CJD WATCH
[scroll down past article for my comments] 
snip... 
were not all CJDs, even nvCJD, just sporadic, until proven otherwise? 
Terry S. Singeltary Sr., P.O. BOX 42, Bacliff, Texas 77518 USA 
Professor Michael Farthing wrote: Louise Send this to Bramble (author) for 
a comment before we post. Michael 
======================================================= 
snip... see full text ; 
2003 
Evidence For CJD TSE Transmission Via Endoscopes 1-24-3 re-Singeltary to 
Bramble et al 
Evidence For CJD/TSE Transmission Via Endoscopes 
From Terry S. Singletary, Sr flounder@wt.net 1-24-3 
Friday, August 10, 2012 
Incidents of Potential iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) biannual 
update (July 2012) 
SNIP...
see more history here ;
OLYMPUS ENDOSCOPY CJD
Thursday, January 22, 2015 
*** Transmission properties of atypical Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: a clue 
to disease etiology? ***
Friday, January 10, 2014 
vpspr, sgss, sffi, TSE, an iatrogenic by-product of gss, ffi, familial type 
prion disease, what it ??? 
Monday, November 3, 2014
USA CJD TSE PRION UNIT, TEXAS, SURVEILLANCE UPDATE NOVEMBER 2014 
National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center Cases Examined1 
(October 7, 2014) 
***6 Includes 11 cases in which the diagnosis is pending, and 19 
inconclusive cases; 
***7 Includes 12 (11 from 2014) cases with type determination pending in 
which the diagnosis of vCJD has been excluded. 
***The sporadic cases include 2660 cases of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob 
disease (sCJD), 
***50 cases of Variably Protease-Sensitive Prionopathy (VPSPr) 
***and 21 cases of sporadic Fatal Insomnia (sFI). 
Sunday, December 14, 2014 
ALERT new variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease nvCJD or vCJD, sporadic CJD 
strains, TSE prion aka Mad Cow Disease United States of America Update December 
14, 2014 Report
Friday, January 30, 2015
Scrapie: a particularly persistent pathogen
Diagnosis and Reporting of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease 
Singeltary, Sr et al. JAMA.2001; 285: 733-734. Vol. 285 No. 6, February 14, 
2001 JAMA
Diagnosis and Reporting of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
To the Editor: In their Research Letter, Dr Gibbons and colleagues1 
reported that the annual US death rate due to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) 
has been stable since 1985. These estimates, however, are based only on reported 
cases, and do not include misdiagnosed or preclinical cases. It seems to me that 
misdiagnosis alone would drastically change these figures. An unknown number of 
persons with a diagnosis of Alzheimer disease in fact may have CJD, although 
only a small number of these patients receive the postmortem examination 
necessary to make this diagnosis. Furthermore, only a few states have made CJD 
reportable. Human and animal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies should be 
reportable nationwide and internationally.
Terry S. Singeltary, Sr Bacliff, Tex
1. Gibbons RV, Holman RC, Belay ED, Schonberger LB. Creutzfeldt-Jakob 
disease in the United States: 1979-1998. JAMA. 2000;284:2322-2323.
26 March 2003
Terry S. Singeltary, retired (medically) CJD WATCH
I lost my mother to hvCJD (Heidenhain Variant CJD). I would like to comment 
on the CDC's attempts to monitor the occurrence of emerging forms of CJD. 
Asante, Collinge et al [1] have reported that BSE transmission to the 
129-methionine genotype can lead to an alternate phenotype that is 
indistinguishable from type 2 PrPSc, the commonest sporadic CJD. However, CJD 
and all human TSEs are not reportable nationally. CJD and all human TSEs must be 
made reportable in every state and internationally. I hope that the CDC does not 
continue to expect us to still believe that the 85%+ of all CJD cases which are 
sporadic are all spontaneous, without route/source. We have many TSEs in the USA 
in both animal and man. CWD in deer/elk is spreading rapidly and CWD does 
transmit to mink, ferret, cattle, and squirrel monkey by intracerebral 
inoculation. With the known incubation periods in other TSEs, oral transmission 
studies of CWD may take much longer. Every victim/family of CJD/TSEs should be 
asked about route and source of this agent. To prolong this will only spread the 
agent and needlessly expose others. In light of the findings of Asante and 
Collinge et al, there should be drastic measures to safeguard the medical and 
surgical arena from sporadic CJDs and all human TSEs. I only ponder how many 
sporadic CJDs in the USA are type 2 PrPSc? 
2 January 2000
British Medical Journal
U.S. Scientist should be concerned with a CJD epidemic in the U.S., as 
well
15 November 1999
British Medical Journal
vCJD in the USA * BSE in U.S.
Self-Propagative Replication of Ab Oligomers Suggests Potential 
Transmissibility in Alzheimer Disease
Received July 24, 2014; Accepted September 16, 2014; Published November 3, 
2014
Singeltary comment ;
Thursday, July 24, 2014 
*** Protocol for further laboratory investigations into the distribution of 
infectivity of Atypical BSE SCIENTIFIC REPORT OF EFSA New protocol for Atypical 
BSE investigations 
Discussion: The C, L and H type BSE cases in Canada exhibit molecular 
characteristics similar to those described for classical and atypical BSE cases 
from Europe and Japan. 
*** This supports the theory that the importation of BSE contaminated 
feedstuff is the source of C-type BSE in Canada. 
*** It also suggests a similar cause or source for atypical BSE in these 
countries. *** 
see page 176 of 201 pages...tss 
*** Singeltary reply ; Molecular, Biochemical and Genetic Characteristics 
of BSE in Canada Singeltary reply ; 
ruminant feed ban for cervids in the United States ? 
31 Jan 2015 at 20:14 GMT 
Saturday, January 24, 2015 
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy: Atypical Pros and Cons 
Saturday, January 31, 2015 
RAPID ADVICE 17-2014 : Evaluation of the risk for public health of casings 
in countries with a “negligible risk status for BSE” and on the risk of 
modification of the list of specified risk materials (SRM) with regard to BSE 
Thursday, February 19, 2015 
Inspections Circumvented for Condemned Cows STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE 
PHYLLIS K. FONG INSPECTOR GENERAL 
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 
Could we spot the next BSE?, asks BVA President 
> Could we spot the next BSE?
we have not spotted all the cases the first time around. with Nations like 
the United States and Canada, organizations like the USDA, OIE, and WTO et al, 
it was never about ‘spotting’ all the BSE TSE prion cases, it was more about how 
not to find them. the triple BSE mad cow firewall, was and still is, nothing but 
ink on paper. ...please see facts ;
Saturday, February 14, 2015 
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Confirms Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy 
(BSE) in Alberta
Tuesday, February 10, 2015 
Alberta Canada First case of chronic wasting disease found in farm elk 
since 2002 
2014 
***Moreover, L-BSE has been transmitted more easily to transgenic mice 
overexpressing a human PrP [13,14] or to primates [15,16] than C-BSE. 
***It has been suggested that some sporadic CJD subtypes in humans may 
result from an exposure to the L-BSE agent. 
*** Lending support to this hypothesis, pathological and biochemical 
similarities have been observed between L-BSE and an sCJD subtype (MV genotype 
at codon 129 of PRNP) [17], and between L-BSE infected non-human primate and 
another sCJD subtype (MM genotype) [15]. 
snip... 
Monday, October 10, 2011 
EFSA Journal 2011 The European Response to BSE: A Success Story 
snip... 
EFSA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) 
recently delivered a scientific opinion on any possible epidemiological or 
molecular association between TSEs in animals and humans (EFSA Panel on 
Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) and ECDC, 2011). This opinion confirmed Classical 
BSE prions as the only TSE agents demonstrated to be zoonotic so far 
*** but the possibility that a small proportion of human cases so far 
classified as "sporadic" CJD are of zoonotic origin could not be excluded. 
*** Moreover, transmission experiments to non-human primates suggest that 
some TSE agents in addition to Classical BSE prions in cattle (namely L-type 
Atypical BSE, Classical BSE in sheep, transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) 
and chronic wasting disease (CWD) agents) might have zoonotic potential. 
snip... 
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Seven main threats for the future linked to prions
First threat
The TSE road map defining the evolution of European policy for protection 
against prion diseases is based on a certain numbers of hypotheses some of which 
may turn out to be erroneous. In particular, a form of BSE (called atypical 
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), recently identified by systematic testing in 
aged cattle without clinical signs, may be the origin of classical BSE and thus 
potentially constitute a reservoir, which may be impossible to eradicate if a 
sporadic origin is confirmed. 
*** Also, a link is suspected between atypical BSE and some apparently 
sporadic cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. 
*** These atypical BSE cases constitute an unforeseen first threat that 
could sharply modify the European approach to prion diseases.
Second threat
snip... 
Thursday, January 15, 2015 
41-year-old Navy Commander with sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease CJD TSE 
Prion: Case Report 
Saturday, January 17, 2015 
*** Becky Lockhart 46, Utah’s first female House speaker, dies diagnosed 
with the extremely rare Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
FDA SCIENCE BOARD TO THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION BOVINE HEPARIN 
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 
SCIENCE BOARD TO THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION 
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
FDA White Oak Campus
Building 31, Room 1503
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, Maryland 20993
The meeting was convened at 8:32 a.m., Russ ALTMAN, 
snip... 
So it has been shown -- so how would you -- there is a risk, though. There 
is a theoretical risk of any herd or whatever having contamination. So how can 
you mitigate even that very small risk? It has been shown that the existing 
manufacturing processes could remove or inactive BSE agents if present. This is 
because they're an extremely robust extraction under very harsh 
conditions.SCIENCE BOARD TO THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
The FDA has guidelines regarding TSEs that can be applied to heparin, and 
these generally were developed by CBER and include control of animal sources, 
which obviously is critical, selection of the type of tissue used, incorporation 
of risk-reduction steps into the production process. And, of course, this is 
typical for any animal source material or even human source material that we use 
in other people, and so that's what we'd like to talk about today. 
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Janet, what's a TSE? 
DR. WOODCOCK: Pardon me? 
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: What is a TSE? 
===========================================
I friggen give up...tss
=========================================== 
snip...see full text ;
Sunday, February 08, 2015 
FDA SCIENCE BOARD TO THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION BOVINE HEPARIN BSE 
CJD TSE PRION Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Saturday, December 13, 2014 
*** Terry S. Singeltary Sr. Publications TSE prion disease Peer Review 
***
Diagnosis and Reporting of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease 
Singeltary, Sr et al. JAMA.2001; 285: 733-734. Vol. 285 No. 6, February 14, 
2001 JAMA
snip...
TSS

No comments:
Post a Comment