TY - JOUR T1 - Fungal colonization of oxygen humidifier and nebulizer chambers JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - p4175 AU - Tushar Sahasrabudhe AU - Savita Jadhav AU - Vipul Kalley AU - Nageswari Gandham Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4175.abstract N2 - Humidified oxygen and nebulizers are routinely used in hospitalized patients suffering from respiratory ailments. These can however be potential source of allergens or infection if colonized by fungi. We undertook a study to determine if the oxygen humidifier chambers of portable cylinders and central lines at our hospital were colonized by fungi. The Hudson's chambers of nebulizers were also studied as they remain wet after use. Samples of these were obtained using sterile swabs on Tuesday as these chambers are usually cleaned on every Saturday. Spot samples were taken from ICUs, wards, casualty and OPD on a single day. Air samples were also obtained on the same day to determine if the fungal spore load in the inhaled room air was normal or high. 46/53 (86.79%) swabs form oxygen humidifiers and 7/17 (41.17%) swabs from Hudson's chambers grew fungi. There were a total of 14 species of fungi identified altogether. 4 of them are virulent strains and 6 are known allergens for asthmatics. The colonization was less in shallow Hudson's chambers (35.71%) as compared to the reusable long ones (66.66%). The air samples showed insignificant growth. The study indicates a potential in-hospital source of allergens and infection. The oxygen and nebulizer chambers need to be cleaned more frequently with disinfectants. ER -