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Endoscopy 1999; 31(7): 528-535
DOI: 10.1055/s-1999-55
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Endoscope Disinfection Using Acidic Electrolytic Water

S. Tsuji 1 , S. Kawano 1 , M. Oshita 1 , A. Ohmae 1 , Y. Shinomura 1 , Y. Miyazaki 1 , S. Hiraoka 1 , Y. Matsuzawa 1 , T. Kamada 1 , M. Hori 1 , T. Maeda 2
  • 1 First and Second Depts. of Medicine, Osaka University School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
  • 2 Kaigen Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)

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Background and Study Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate a new endoscope disinfector (WM-1) that uses acidic electrolytic water (AEW).

Materials and Methods: AEW was produced by electrolysis of a 0.05 % NaCl-water mixture, with a redox potential greater than 1000 mV and a pH lower than 2.7. In the first study, an endoscope artificially contaminated with 15 species of bacteria and four strains of viruses was treated using the WM-1. In the second study, endoscopic contamination after clinical use was examined by culture for Helicobacter pylori and other bacteria, and by polymerase chain reaction for the H. pylori urease gene and hepatitis C virus. The extent of contamination was then examined after exposing the WM-1 to AEW. The safety of AEW was examined using both in vivo and in vitro studies.

Results: All of the bacteria and viruses were destroyed or inactivated after the instrument had been exposed to AEW. Clinical contamination was detected from the instrument in 19 of 30 endoscopic procedures, whereas no bacteria or viruses were detected after five minutes' exposure to AEW. AEW was found to be nonirritant, nontoxic to cells, and nonmutagenic.

Conclusion: The WM-1 successfully and safely disinfected the endoscopes. With running costs of ¥24 per day ($0.21 per day), the WM-1 provides an effective and inexpensive alternative to conventional disinfection equipment.