Ultrasound probes as a possible vector of bacterial transmission

Harumi Koibuchi, Kazuhiko Kotani, Nobuyuki Taniguchi

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.

Keywords


transducer; bacterial transmission; disinfection; ultrasound

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11152/mu.2013.2066.151.hk1upp2

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