September 2, 2008

BACTERIAL INFECTION TREATMENT
WITH ULTRAHIGH FREQUENCY SOUND^©

Lyn Paul Taylor, A.A., B.A., M.A., R.P.T.

(Editing Assistant and Computer Consultant: Joanna Soon, B.S.)

Very little can be found in review of the existing literature addressing the issue of using ultrahigh frequency sound (ultrasound) for the treatment or eradication of bacterial infection.  That which can be found leaves the investigator surprised and frustrated over the dearth of information, particularly since what can be found is so provocative.  One source reported that ultrasound could be effectively used to depolymerize macromolecules, alter the dispersion and solubility of proteins found in blood serum, inactivate various enzymes (pepsin, hyaluronidase, cycloozygenase), flatten viruses and bacteriophages, destroy yeast cells, and to "punch holes" in a good many bacteria.  Other sources report the destructive effects of ultrasonic stimulation on bacteria in studies performed in vitro.  No in-vivo studies were discovered in the literature reviewed.

Clinical experience has demonstrated that ultrasound may be used to effectively treat isolated bacterial infections generally associated with open wounds, osteomyelitis, abscesses of varying sizes, and ulcers of the skin (included decubiti or “bed” sores).

Application:

• The ultrasound unit should be preset to deliver a pulsed waveform, at 0.8 to 1.5 W/cm² if it employs a frequency of 1 Mhz, or at 0.8 to 1.8 W/cm² if the unit utilizes 3 Mhz.

• The infected area should be coated with an appropriate coupling agent (di-alpha tocopheryl oil or a cream containing ibuprofen may be more appropriate than a salt colloidal suspension).

• Treatment should continue for six minutes (time based on a treatment area of 72 cm² or less).  Treatments should occur daily, or every other day until the lesion closes or symptoms disappear.  Success will depend on the sensitivity of the bacteria to the ultrasound.  If improvement is not apparent after the first two or three sessions, treatment should be suspended.

• The sound head should be hygienically cleansed and dried immediately following application and again before its next use.

Caution should be exercised when applying ultrasound to areas that suffer from inadequate circulation.  Elevated tissue temperatures may threaten such tissues, since the transfer of heat normally provided by the circulatory system is missing.  In such cases, the continuous waveform of ultrasound should be strictly avoided and only the pulsed waveform used.

Most successful treatment courses have used the pulsed waveform applied between 0.8 and 1.5 W/cm², for between four and six minutes to areas of up to 72 cm².  Ultrasound intensity and the duration of application have depended on patient tolerance (most have tolerated 1.5 W/cm² for a full six minutes).  Successful treatment has also been accomplished with the low intensity (0.8 W/cm²) continuous waveform, most notably for the treatment of decubiti and the closure of persistently open surgical wounds.

[See ULTRAHIGH FREQUENCY SOUND, Precautions]

References:

J. Burgos, J.A. Ordonez, and F. Sala, "Effect of Ultrasonic Waves on the Heat Resistance of Bacillus Cereus and Bacillus Licheniformis Spores", Applied and Environmental Microbiology, vol. 24, 1972. Pp. 497-498

W.T. Coakley, "Biophysical Effects of Ultrasound at Therapeutic Intensities", Physiotherapy, vol. 64 (4), June 1978. Pp. 166-168

M. Dyson, J.B. Pond, J. Joseph, R. Warwick, "Stimulation of Tissue Regeneration by Pulsed Plane-Wave Ultrasound," IEEE Transactions on Sonics and Ultrasonics, July 1970. Pp. 133-139

M. Dyson, J. Suckling, "Stimulation of Tissue repair by Ultrasound: a Survey of the Mechanisms Involved", Physiotherapy, vol. 64 (4), 1978. Pp. 105-108

F.E. Miller, J.B. Weaver, "Ultrasound Therapy," Phys Ther Rev, vol. 34 (11), 1954. p. 562

J.A. Ordonez and J. Burgos, "Effect of Ultrasonic Waves on the Heat Resistance of Bacillus Spores," Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 32:1, July 1976. Pp. 183-184

H.P. Schwan, E.L. Carstensen, "Advantages and Limitations of Ultrasonics in Medicine", JAMA, 149, May 1952. Pp. 121-125

L.P. Taylor, T. Hui, The Taylor Technique of Soft Tissue Management, Inflammation: Evaluation & Treatment, 2002.  Pp. 49-50

Unsigned, "Ultrasonic Energy in Medicine", International Record of Medicine and General Practice Clinics, 168:12, December 1955. Pp. 803-806

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