Colonoscopy procedures were randomly selected during a period when glutaraldehyde was used. Of 400 colonoscopic procedures selected during each of the glutaraldehyde and detergent periods 299 and 242 respectively were available. The authors observed that the glutaraldehyde had higher frequencies of proctocolitis which had at least 5 stools per day, severe proctocolitis which was greater than 10 stools per day, and severe hemorrhagic proctocolitis. Younger age was associated with proctocolitis only during the glutaraldehyde period. No pathogen was found in 2 individuals who had stool cultures. The median incubation period after colonoscopy was 4 hours and the symptoms lasted 30 hours. Illnesses responded spontaneously in all cases. The authors conclude that inadequate rinsing of the colonoscopes after emersion in glutaraldehyde may result in proctocolitis due to a direct action on the mucosa. 22292 [gas]

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