MICROBIAL COLONIZATION PROFILE OF RESPIRATORY DEVICES

Abstract

Background: The respiratory care equipment’s which include nebulizers, humidifiers, and ventilators may have been identified as the potential vehicle which may cause major nosocomial infections if they are colonized by different bacteria. This study was conducted to know presence of microbial flora in  inhalation therapy equipment, type of organisms.

Methodology: The study included 60 samples out of which 30 samples were taken from nebulizers, and 30 samples were taken from humidifier chambers in use. Rinse sampling method using 10-20 ml sterile BHI broth was performed. Quantitative culture was performed using colony counting agar spread plate method.

Result: 51.6% samples showed significant bacterial growth .Out of these 14 samples were of nebulizers and 17 samples of humidifier chambers. 90.33 % bacterial isolates were gram negative bacilli and 9.66 % were gram positive cocii. Following gram negative bacilli were isolated: Pseudomonas (41.93 %), B.cepacia (16.13%), Klebsiella species (12.9%), Acinetobacter species (12.9%) and Polymicrobial flora (6.45%).

Conclusion: Our study indicates a potential risk of nosocomial infection due to microbial colonization of various respiratory devices.