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.
Perera
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Division of Family Medicine and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
D006801:Humans; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation*