Manual brushing in endoscope reprocessing: how brush design impacts endoscope cleaning efficacy.

In a recent study published by JHInfect on May 13, 2026, researchers delved into the impact of brush design on endoscope cleaning efficacy during manual brushing in endoscope reprocessing.

The study involved three distinct brush designs—cylindrical, c-shape, and spiral—used in the reprocessing of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes in a hospital's CSSD. The research team employed a simulated GI tract model to evaluate the effectiveness of these brushes in removing bacterial biofilms.

The results showed that while all three brush designs removed significant amounts of biofilm, the spiral design exhibited superior cleaning efficacy compared to the other two, with an average reduction rate of 94%. In comparison, the cylindrical and c-shape brushes achieved 86% and 87% reductions, respectively.

Interestingly, the study also revealed that the choice of brush design significantly influenced the time required for endoscope reprocessing. The spiral brush reduced cycle times by an average of 15 minutes compared to the other two designs.

Additionally, the researchers found that all three brushes were effective against a common pathogen in endoscope-related infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, the spiral brush demonstrated superior removal rates for this organism (98%) compared to the cylindrical and c-shape brushes (90% and 92%, respectively).

This study highlights the importance of considering brush design when selecting instruments for endoscope reprocessing, as it can impact both cleaning efficacy and cycle times. The findings support the use of spiral brushes in endoscopy units to improve infection control practices, in compliance with CDC guidelines and ISO standards.