Your doctor may wash his hands before every checkup, but what about his tie?

Researchers analyzed the neckties of 42 doctors at a New York hospital.

Nearly half contained bacteria that can cause illnesses like pneumonia and urinary tract infections.

Similar analyses of ties from 10 hospital security guards found only one harbored disease causing germs.

Researchers say the findings bring into question whether wearing a necktie is in the best interest of patients.

Physician assistant and medical student ties were among the 42 doctor ties analyzed.

Disease causing bacteria were found on 47.6 percent of the 42 doctor ties

The doctor ties were eight times more likely to contain bacteria than ties worn by security guards.

This study was conducted by researchers at New York hospital at Queens Medical Center.

The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

Researchers note that none of the bacteria found on neckties was resistant to treatment with antibiotics.