Estudio microbiológico y metalográfico de agujas de acupuntura

Objective

To biologically and morphologically characterize acupuncture needles.

Methods

To determine the presence of bacteria and fungi, a sterility test was performed. 10 needles of each commercial brand were evaluated (Dong Bang, South Korea; Cloud & Dragon, China; Dong Bang DBC 108, South Korea), randomly collected under aseptic conditions. Growth medias (fluid thioglycollate medium [THIO] and trypticase-soy medium [TSB]) were prepared and positive (10 μl of Clostridium sporogenes ATCC 1137 strain in THIO and 10 μl of Candida albicans ATCC1023 strain in TSB) and negative controls (without inoculum) were obtained. The packages were disinfected with 70% alcohol. Each needle was removed from its package and transferred into the growth mediums, until 10 inoculated samples for each commercial brand were obtained (n = 5). Inoculated samples in TSB were incubated at 25 °C and those in THIO at 37 °C; for 14 days with controls. For metallographic analysis, 30 needles from each brand were randomly selected, prepared and standardized to be observed under stereoscopic microscope (40 ×, Zeiss Stemi, Oberkochen, Germany), obtaining photos of the cross-sectional area of the needles.

Results

No microorganisms were found in the sterility test. The metallographic test showed that the needles were made from a martensitic stainless-steel alloy, without irregularities or coatings.

Conclusions

The needles have adequate sterility and morphology for their use.