title: Fungal contamination of nebuliser devices used by people with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Poor nebuliser hygiene can result in bacterial contamination and risk of infections. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of fungal contamination of nebulisers used by adults with cystic fibrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 170 nebulisers from 149 subjects were screened by wetting a sterile cotton swab with sterile water and swabbing each drug chamber. The swab was then plated out on Sabouraud and on Scel+agar and incubated at 27 °C for up to 2 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fungal cultures were positive in 86 (57.7%) patient's devices. In 28/149 (18.8%), 39/149 (26.2%), 47/149 (31.5%) and 20/149 (13.4%) of subjects Aspergillus species, yeasts, moulds and both yeasts and moulds were isolated respectively. There was no difference in contamination rates between different devices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nebuliser devices are frequently contaminated by moulds and yeasts and emphasis should be placed on ensuring adequate nebuliser hygiene.
authors.affiliation: Leeds Centre for Cystic Fibrosis, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peckham
authors.affiliation: Leeds Centre for Cystic Fibrosis, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Leeds Centre for Cystic Fibrosis, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wynne
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Denton
authors.affiliation: Leeds Centre for Cystic Fibrosis, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pollard
authors.affiliation: Mycology Reference Centre, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005100:Expectorants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000382:microbiology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D058996:Quality Improvement
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005100:Expectorants
keywords: Biofilm; Device; Fungi; Nebuliser