Journal
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
Volume 66, Issue 6, Pages 537-541Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/lam.12876
Keywords
cystic fibrosis; infection control; nebulizer; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; water
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Funding
- UK CF Trust Clinical Fellowship
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Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Current understanding of risk factors for acquisition is limited and so the aim of this study was to examine a large sample of environmental waters from diverse sources. Environmental water samples (n=7904) from jacuzzis, hydrants, swimming pools, hot tubs, plunge pools, bottled natural mineral water, taps, springs, ice machines, water coolers, bores and showers were examined for the presence of P. aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in 524/7904 (6.6%) waters examined. Hot tubs (51/243; 20.9%), tap water (3/40; 8%) and jacuzzis (432/5811; 7.4%) were the most likely environments where P. aeruginosa was isolated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from bottled water (2/67; 3%). Our study highlights the ubiquitous nature of P. aeruginosa in the environment. Given CF patients are frequently counselled to make lifestyle changes to minimize P. aeruginosa exposure, these results have important implications. In particular, the occurrence of P. aeruginosa in tap water highlights the need to disinfect the CF patients' nebulizer after each use.
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