Sterility of reusable transrectal ultrasound transducer assemblies for prostate biopsy reprocessed according to food and drug administration guidelines--bacteriologic outcomes in a clinical setup.

Objectives: To test the effectiveness of the sterilization process of the transducer while applying the Food and Drug Administration recommendations on a routine basis in a high-volume clinical setup. In June 2006, the Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health notification about reprocessing of the reusable ultrasound transducer assemblies used for transrectal biopsy of the prostate.

Methods: Transrectal ultrasound assembly components were systematically swabbed and cultured.

Decrease in anaerobe-related bacteraemias and increase in Bacteroides species isolation rate from 1998 to 2007: a retrospective study.

Conflicting data have accumulated in recent years regarding the incidence of anaerobic bacteraemias. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacteraemias due to anaerobic bacteria and evaluate the importance of anaerobic blood cultures in a university hospital in Israel. A retrospective survey which focused on anaerobic blood culture bottles was performed on blood cultures received in our laboratory during the decade from January 1998 to December 2007.