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.
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S. TsujiM.D.
First Department of Medicine
Osaka University School of Medicine
Suita, 565
Japan
Phone: + 81-6-6879-3639
Email: tsuji@medone.med.osaka-u.ac.jp