Microbial overgrowth in water perfusion equipment for esophageal/rectal motility.

Background: There are few data on microbial levels in water used during the assessment of GI motility. Patients undergoing such procedures may be ingesting water with unacceptably high levels of bacteria.

Methods: Samples of water from the reservoir and tubing from water perfusion motility equipment were taken and quantitatively assessed to determine the concentration of viable aerobic and facultative microorganisms.