title: [The possibility of transendoscopic transmission of Helicobacter pylori and the method of disinfection of endoscopic instruments].
abstract: Although Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection has been considered to have an etiologic role in the development of antral gastritis and recurrence of duodenal ulcer, the source and normal route of transmission of HP remains unknown. Ironically, iatrogenic infection was the first route of transmission established. Through many investigations using HP DNA analysis and anti-HP antibody change, the possibility of transendoscopic transmission of HP has been determined. From the fundamental analysis of the method, by which disinfection may be sufficient after an usual endoscopic examination, our results suggested that on several occasions, HP may be transmitted even if disinfection was performed with alcohol. Careful cleaning of the endoscope with alkaline glutaraldehyde appears to be sufficient to avoid transmission of HP from one positive patient to another.
authors.affiliation: Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, Aichi Medical University.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kotera
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mitsuma
mesh_terms: D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged