Yilmaz Yegit Cansu, Ergenekon Pinar, Duman Nurcan, Mursaloglu Hakan, Cenk Muruvvet, Suzer Uzunoglu Burcu, Tastan Gamze, Gokdemir Yasemin, Erdem Eralp Ela, Karahasan Yagci Aysegul, Karakoc Fazilet, Karadag Bulent
Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Marmara University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Türkiye.
Department of Microbiology, Marmara University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Türkiye.
Turk Arch Pediatr. 2025 Jan 2;60(1):22-28. doi: 10.5152/TurkArchPediatr.2025.24003.
Objective: Nebulizer contamination has potential harmful effects on the respiratory system. The aim was to investigate the contamination profile of the nebulizers in cystic fibrosis patients and evaluate the relationship between hygiene practices and microbial contamination. Materials and Methods: Microbiological swab samples were taken from 3 different locations of the nebulizers of 102 patients. A questionnaire regarding nebulizer hygiene practices was applied to participants. Results: Contamination rate was 40.2%, while chambers were the most contaminated area. The bacterial contamination rate was 37.3%, with gram-negative bacterial growth being predominant. The organisms identified were mostly environmental or floral. Only 3 of the patients were performing the whole steps correctly. This number was not sufficient to assess the relationship between nebulizer cleaning and disinfection practices and microbial growth from nebulizers. When the relationship between nebulizer cleaning/disinfection frequencies, methods, and storage locations was evaluated separately with microbial growth from nebulizers, no statistically significant relationship was found for all (P > .05 for all). Conclusion: The nebulizer contamination rate with pathogenic microorganisms is low in the present study. Regular educational interventions regarding nebulizer hygiene practices should be implemented in all Cystic Fibrosis Centers.
雾化器污染对呼吸系统有潜在的有害影响。本研究旨在调查囊性纤维化患者雾化器的污染情况，并评估卫生习惯与微生物污染之间的关系。材料与方法：从102例患者雾化器的3个不同部位采集微生物拭子样本。向参与者发放一份关于雾化器卫生习惯的问卷。结果：污染率为40.2%，其中雾化器药杯是污染最严重的部位。细菌污染率为37.3%，以革兰氏阴性菌生长为主。鉴定出的微生物大多为环境菌或定植菌。只有3例患者正确执行了所有步骤。这个数字不足以评估雾化器清洁和消毒措施与雾化器微生物生长之间的关系。当分别评估雾化器清洁/消毒频率、方法和储存位置与雾化器微生物生长之间的关系时，均未发现统计学上的显著关系（所有P>0.05）。结论：在本研究中，致病微生物对雾化器的污染率较低。所有囊性纤维化中心都应定期开展关于雾化器卫生习惯的教育干预。
