title: Ultrasound probes as a possible vector of bacterial transmission.
abstract: Ultrasound probes are usually in a direct contact with the skin when used for detecting pathologic abnormalities. The probe could be a vector of bacterial transmission, but there have been few studies on this topic.We have made such studies, briefly reviewing 1)the conditions governing a possible bacterial transmission by probe, 2) the deterioration of an ultrasound probe by alcohol disinfection, 3) a suitable method for evaluating bacterial contamination of an ultrasound probe, and 4) the best procedure for decontaminating such probes. This paper ,may lead to a formal consideration of the relationship between ultrasound probes and their roles in bacterial transmission in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan. koichan@jichi.ac.jp
authors.forename: Harumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koibuchi
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kotani
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000382:microbiology*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D014159:Transducers / Q000382:microbiology*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*