Bacterial Contaminations of Home Nebulizers in Asthmatic Children.
- Author:
Young YOO
1
;
Kang Jin SEO
;
Tae Yeun KIM
;
Yoon LEE
;
Ji Tae CHOUNG
;
Kyong Ho ROH
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea. jt42525@korea.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Bacterial contamination;
Nebulizer;
Asthma;
Children;
Inhalation;
Throat swab
- MeSH:
Acinetobacter baumannii;
Agar;
Asthma;
Bacillus subtilis;
Bacteria;
Bacteria, Aerobic;
Cacao;
Candida albicans;
Caregivers;
Child*;
Education;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Incubators;
Inhalation;
Klebsiella pneumoniae;
Medical Staff;
Nebulizers and Vaporizers*;
Parents;
Pharynx;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Respiratory System;
Staphylococcus aureus
- From:Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease
2006;16(2):122-130
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Nebulizers are commonly used to treat children with asthma. Some pulmonary infections associated with contaminated nebulizer units have been reported. The aims of this study were to determine whether home nebulizers are repositories of bacteria and to ascertain how asthmatic patients use and maintain their nebulizers at home. METHODS: Fifty-five children with asthma aged 2 to 6 years were enrolled in this study. The parents were asked to bring their child's nebulizer units to regular follow-up visits. Bacterial samples which were obtained from the masks(or mouthpieces), nebulizer chambers and throat swabs were inoculated to blood agar, chocolate agar, and McConkey agar. Cultures were incubated at 5 percent CO2 incubator and observed after 24 hours. Parents completed a questionnaire regarding nebulizer usage and care in their child. RESULTS: Bacterial contamination was found in samples from 27(49.1%) of the 55 masks(or mouthpieces) and 24(43.6%) of the 55 chambers. The predominant microorganisms isolated were Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. The questionnaire revealed that 40 parents cleaned the nebulizer units with tap water(and soap) and dried then, as they had received cleaning and drying instructions from a medical staff member. Seven organisms from nebulizer units were indistinguishable from the patient's throat isolates. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that home nebulizers in these asthmatic children were frequently contaminated with aerobic bacteria. Aerosolization might transmit these bacteria to their upper respiratory tracts. The education and training of home caregivers should include the principles of cleaning and maintenance of their child's nebulizer units.
