Risk of Staphylococcus aureus transmission during ultrasound investigation.

An investigation of staphylococcal transmission between patients undergoing routine abdominal ultrasound procedures was carried out to assess the potential risks of cross-infection. In 13% of procedures the probe was found to be colonized with Staphylococcus aureus. Four of 19 patients were shown to have colonized the probe directly. Two patients were shown to have become colonized as a result of the procedure and some evidence is presented of possible interpatient cross-colonization. It is suggested that this is an underestimation of the potential of cross-infection and simple inexpensive infection control procedures are suggested.