[Microorganisms in home-care inhalation devices]

Contamination of inhalation equipment used at home, cleaning procedures, and the occurrence of potentially pathogenic micro-organisms in mouthwash water was studied in 55 patients. Fungi in the oropharyngeal space were found in 58%, Staphylococcus aureus in 29%, Enterobacteriaceae in 47% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 11%. Contamination with potentially pathogenic micro-organisms occurred in 64% of inhalation equipment and inhalation solutions. In a total of 151 samples from the equipment Klebsiella was present in 14%, Enterobacter in 10%, Serratia and Acinetobacter in 11% each, Pseudomonas in 5% and Staphylococcus aureus in 4.5%. In three cases the same serotype of Ps. aeruginosa was present in the oropharyngeal cavity and inhalation equipment. In most cases the cleansing of the inhalation equipment had been inadequate. Only 36% of those questioned cleaned the equipment immediately before use, only 4 of 20 stated that they washed their hands before use. Subjective assessment of the value of inhalation treatment was either "very good" or "good" in 80%.