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To the Editor: The currently available methods to deliver aerosolized medication are nebulization, pressurized metered dose inhalers, and breath-actuated nebulizer.^1-3 In children, the effectiveness of nebulizers and metered-dose inhalers are enhanced with the use of spacers.¹

Bacterial contamination of nebulizers is well documented. Takigawa et al⁴ reported that nebulization equipment, even after cleaning and disinfection, might be responsible for nosocomial infection. Hutchinson et al⁵ reported that even after cleaning, 69% of nebulizers were contaminated by various types of gram-negative bacteria and that drying after cleaning was helpful because gram-negative bacteria survive better in a moist environment. Furthermore, incorrect cleaning, maintenance and disinfection procedures may adversely affect the performance of these devices.⁶ We examined the degree of bacterial contamination in a spacer device used by children with asthma.

Methods.

Participants were 30 consecutive children aged 2 years to 5 years with known asthma who presented at the Community Pediatric Clinic, Petah Tiqva, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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