title: Bacterial contamination of multiple-use atomizers commonly used in Japan.
abstract: Before performing transnasal fiberscopy to observe the nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx in outpatient clinics, nasal anesthetics and vasoconstrictive agents are routinely sprayed into the nares in order to improve patients' comfort. Bacterial contamination of the nozzles of Venturi principle atomizer barrels and their solutions after being used for multiple patients over a long-term period without cleaning is controversial. We evaluated the potential risk of atomizer-associated cross-infection by using atomizers commonly available in Japan that use compressed air to atomize medication. Eighteen of the 23 samples (78.3%) from the external nozzle tips of the atomizers resulted in positive bacterial cultures. These detected bacteria are suggested to be colonized in the nares and to cause bacterial contamination of the atomizer. Of the 25 samples obtained from the spray of the drug solutions, 11 samples showed positive bacterial culture, whereas 16 control samples produced no growth of bacteria. The present study demonstrated that the atomizer widely used in the outpatient ENT clinics in Japan has a potential risk of causing cross-infection of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 113 8421 Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Takuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haruyama
authors.forename: Narumi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Misawa
authors.forename: Naritake
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Misawa
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kusunoki
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furukawa
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yokoi
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yokoi
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ichihari
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawano
authors.forename: Fumihiko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Chieri
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Yuya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Narui
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iizuka
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Ayako
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Inoshita
authors.forename: Misato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kasai
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minekawa
authors.forename: Shin-Ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oba
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cho
keywords: Atomizer; Bacterial culture; Fiberscopy; Local anesthesia; Nozzle