An assessment for the presence of bacterial contamination of venturi principle atomizers in a clinical setting

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 degrees 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 bocilli, 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.