A locally made mucus aspirator.
Examination of nasopharyngeal aspirate for the presence of viral antigens in children with acute lower respiratory tract infections is a standard procedure in establishing a viral aetiology. In the absence of other sophisticated methods such as lung puncture or trans-tracheal aspiration, mucopus aspirated from the nasopharynx can be used even to identify caustive organisms. Here, it is essential to perform a microscopic examination in addition to culture. The disposable mucus aspirators used in other countries are expensive and are not practical for routine use in our country. This paper describes how a mucus aspirator was turned out with low cost heat resistant materials that are locally available. The aspirator is steam sterilisable and can be used with a disposable F8 gauge feeding tube. The cost of one aspirator is about Rs. 100.
Division of Family Medicine and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
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Perera
D006801:Humans; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation*