Background: The bacterial contamination of nebulizers represents a major problem for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients that can lead to reduced nebulizer performance and increase the risk of patient reinfection by the contaminating bacteria.
Objective: We investigated the potential use of squalamine, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound, as a nebulizer disinfectant.
Methods: Pari LC nebulizers were artificially contaminated with a suspension of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; 10(8) CFU/mL) and fungi (Candidida albicans and Aspergilus niger; 10(7) CFU/mL) and then disinfected by immersion in squalamine solution for 20 min. Glutaraldehyde and Korsolex peracetic acid were used as disinfectant controls.
Result: We found that 0.5 g/L squalamine reduced the levels of viable S. aureus and P. aeruginosa by 5 log(10) and the level of viable C. albicans by 4 log(10) after 20 min. A concentration of 2 g/L was needed to reduce the level of A. niger cells by 4 log(10) in 6 hours. Finally, a formulation of squalamine in the form of a soluble disinfecting tablet containing 2.5% (w/w) squalamine was developed and successfully applied for nebulizer disinfection.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that aminosterol derivatives may be used by CF patients for rapid and easy home nebulizer disinfection and that soluble tablets may be developed for this purpose.
Copyright © 2012 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.