Dermatoscope as Vector for Transmissible Diseases – No Apparent Risk of Nosocomial Infections in Outpatients

Vol. 212, No. 1, 2006

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Clinical and Laboratory Investigations

Dermatoscope as Vector for Transmissible Diseases - No Apparent Risk of Nosocomial Infections in Outpatients
P. Häusermann^a, A. Widmer^b, P. Itin^{a, c}

^aDepartment of Dermatology and
^bDivision of Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, and
^cDepartment of Dermatology, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland

Address of Corresponding Author

Dermatology 2006;212:27-30 (DOI: 10.1159/000089018)

Key Words

Dermatoscopy
Dermoscopy
Epiluminescence microscopy
Nosocomial infection
Transmissible disease vector
Hospitals, Switzerland

Abstract

Purpose: To determine nonpathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacterial growth isolated from dermatoscopes of dermatologists using oil as contact medium in the daily routine at two outpatient sections in Switzerland. Methods: We investigated the microbiologic colonization of dermatoscopes (Dermatoskop Delta 10, Heine Optotechnik, or Dermogeniusbasic, Rodenstock) during routine use in the outpatient sections of the Departments of Dermatology at the University of Basel and Kantonsspital Aarau. 112 swabs (4 from Aarau, 108 from Basel) taken under standardized conditions were microbiologically worked up in the same laboratory. Oil (101) and 63% isopropyl alcohol (11) were used as contact medium. Results: 39 of 112 swabs showed no bacterial growth. 73 of 112 showed growth of nonpathogenic bacteria (skin flora). Additionally to the cultivation of nonpathogenic bacteria, 3 swabs showed growth of oxacillin-sensitive potentially pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus. Of 11 swabs taken after using 63% isopropyl alcohol as a contact medium, 6 revealed no bacterial growth and 5 showed the growth of skin flora. Conclusions: The potential risk of nosocomial infection related to the routine use of dermatoscopes in outpatients is small, and the use of oil as a contact medium for dermatoscopy to enhance the optical quality seems to be unproblematic.

Author Contacts

Peter H. Itin, MD
Department of Dermatology
University Hospital Basel
CH-4031 Basel (Switzerland)
Tel. +41 61 265 54 40, Fax +41 61 265 42 00, E-Mail peter.itin@unibas.ch

Article Information

Received: December 2, 2004
Accepted: March 19, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 20

Medline Abstract (ID 16319470)

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