An Assessment for the Presence of Bacterial Contamination of Venturi Principle Atomizers in a Clinical Setting

Author： Rizzi Mark Batra Pete S. Hall Geraldine Citardi Martin J. Lanza Donald C.

ISSN： 1539-6290

Source： American Journal of Rhinology, Vol.19, Iss.1, 2005-01, pp. : 21-23

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Abstract

Background: Venturi principle atomizers have been criticized for potential contamination and disease transmission when used for nasal application. A recent laboratory study reported a high rate of contamination of these atomizers after their tips were immersed and sprayed into a broth containing Staphylococcus aureus. The objective of this study was to determine whether the Venturi-type atomizers used regularly at a busy referral center for sinonasal disorders were contaminated with bacteria.Methods: Fifteen Venturi-type atomizers containing 2% lidocaine (four bottles), 4% lidocaine (three bottles), or 0.05% oxymetazoline (eight bottles) were sprayed onto blood agar plates. All atomizer bottles had been in routine use in a tertiary rhinology clinic for 1 month. The contents within each bottle's reservoir also were cultured. Thus, the total sample size was 30 plates. Then, the plates were incubated at 35°C for 48 hours and then at room temperature for 72 hours.Results: Three of our 30 plates grew one colony each of Gram-positive bacilli, Gram-positive cocci, and Staphylococcus species.Conclusion: The rare growth of any bacteria seen in our samples could as likely represent contamination during processing and handling of the plates as contamination of the atomizers themselves. Thus, Venturi-type atomizers may not have a high potential contamination risk, which has been suggested by previous reports.