title: An evaluation of different steam disinfection protocols for cystic fibrosis nebulizers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Contamination is a key element in cystic fibrosis. For this reason, nebulizer hygiene is an important, but complex and time-consuming task for cystic fibrosis patients. The aim of this study was to compare different steam disinfection and drying protocols.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred nebulizer parts were inoculated with cystic fibrosis-related bacteria in high concentrations (Burkholderia multivorans 3.9 × 10(10)/ml, Staphylococcus aureus 8.9 × 10(8/)ml and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2.1 × 10(9)/ml). Tubes with Mycobacterium abscessus complex were additionally tested. Six steam disinfectors were compared. Different methods of drying were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All tested bacteria were efficiently killed by the different steam disinfectors tested. The risk of contamination depended on the method of drying.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Steam disinfection is a safe disinfection method. It is better to leave the nebulizers wet after steam disinfection than to manipulate them by active drying, which seems to be a source of recontamination.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, 4600 Wels, Austria. Electronic address: Kinga.hohenwarter@klinikum-wegr.at.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hohenwarter
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, 4600 Wels, Austria.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Prammer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology, Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, 4600 Wels, Austria.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Aichinger
authors.affiliation: Services de Pneumologie et de Médecine Physique, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, Brussels 1200, Belgium.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reychler
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005100:Expectorants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000382:microbiology*; D013227:Steam
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005100:Expectorants; D013227:Steam
keywords: Aerosol drug therapy; Bacteria; Cleaning; Compliance; Cystic fibrosis; Equipment contamination; Hygiene; Infection control; Infection prevention; Inhalation; Inhalers; Medical devices; Mycobacteria; Nebulizer; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Steam disinfection