CDC Morbidity and Mortality: Tap Water in CPAP

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 04/02/2025 09:03:02
• In: Quality/Regulatory

In November 2023, a patient died from an Acanthamoeba infection, likely acquired by using tap water in electronic medical devices. Acanthamoeba was detected in the patient's brain tissue, an electronic nasal irrigator, and a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine; all strains were of the same genotype.

Implications for practice: Patients should always follow manufacturer instructions regarding the type of water to use and recommended cleaning practices for electronic medical devices such as CPAP machines. Distilled, sterile, or boiled and cooled tap water can be used in nasal irrigation devices.

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Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org