Effect of UV Light on Disinfection of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Connections

We evaluated the microbiological performance of an ultraviolet (UV) light-based peritoneal dialysis catheter connection system. The system includes a UV light-generating device combined with a UV transmissive window incorporated into the transfer set. Each UV transparent transfer set was inoculated with 10 μL of cultured inoculum consisting of either S. aureus, E. coli, or C. albicans. After being inoculated, we attached a solution set connector to the transfer catheter, and exposed that connection to a UV light dose of approximately 340 mJoules/cm2. After exposure to UV light, we broke the seal of the solution set and opened the plunger valve on the UV transmissive transfer catheter. We then flushed 10 mL of dialysate through the connection. The flushed solution was collected, diluted, plated on agar medium, and incubated for 24 hours. Results were compared to positive controls collected in an identical manner without exposure to UV light. Thirty test samples and 3 positive controls were collected for each organism. All test samples exposed to UV light had complete kill of bacteria except 1 colony on a single plate in the S. aureus group. Mean log reduction was 4.03 for C. albicans, 4.73 for S. aureus, and 5.29 for E. coli. All positive control samples had significant bacterial growth. Our results demonstrate that the application of UV light within a UV transmissive transfer catheter window produces a germicidal effect upon microorganisms known to be associated with peritonitis.