Glutaraldehyde and peracetic acid preparations were used as disinfectants, while neutral enzymatic formulations and an alkaline formulation were used as detergents, and the effect of these combinations on soil removal and accumulative soil deposition after repeated processing were investigated for the purpose of developing an effective detergent-disinfectant system. The combination of peracetic acid and alkaline detergent had the best soil removal properties, and hardly any soil buildup was observed even after repeated processing. When contamination, washing and disinfection were done repeatedly with enzymatic detergent and glutaraldehyde, the combination that has been used up to now, soil accumulation was observed. This combination was also inferior in terms of soil removal and it is believed that auxiliary physical methods of removal, such as brushing, are needed. Since the combination of peracetic acid and alkaline detergent showed excellent cleaning properties, its use may be able to simplify a part of preliminary washing, such as brushing, that is required before washing and disinfection of endoscopes by automatic reprocessing equipment.
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