title: Nebulized medication is not associated with nosocomial infections. A pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nebulized devices are commonly used in the treatment of respiratory infection, and other respiratory diseases. It has been reported nosocomial infections in cystic fibrosis patients as a result of the use of contaminated devices. However, little is known about nosocomial infections secondary to aerosolized therapy in COPD patients admitted for acute exacerbation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty consecutive patients (13 males) were included. All of them received aerosolized medication. Each patient used their own facemask and nebulizer cup, which were stored in the room after its use. Samples from nebulizer cups were obtained on days 0, 4 and 7. In addition, sputum samples were obtained on day 0 (prior to any nebulization) and on day 7, and cultivated in enriched media.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only nine nebulizer cups had positive microbiological cultures. Coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) were isolated in all cases. Sputum samples could be obtained in 27 patients. None grew CoNS after 7 days of aerosolized therapy. Gram-negative non-fermenting bacilli were isolated in three patients without concomitant grown in nebulizer cups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We did not find any nosocomial infection related to aerosolize medications in COPD patients admitted for acute exacerbation.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vinuesa
authors.forename: Violeta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peña
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Ruigómez
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Badiola
authors.forename: Leopoldo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Medina
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hernández-Quero
authors.affiliation: Jorge Parra-Ruiz, Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas - Hospital Universitario San Cecilio Avda Dr. Oloriz 16. 18012 Granada, Spain. jordi@ugr.es.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parra-Ruiz
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000336:Aerosols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008397:Masks / Q000382:microbiology; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000382:microbiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000336:Aerosols; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents