OBJECTIVE:To describe the pathogens found in home nebulizers and in respiratory samples of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and to evaluate the effect that a standardized instruction regarding cleaning and disinfection of nebulizers has on the frequency of nebulizer contamination. METHODS: We included 40 CF patients (22 males), all of whom used the same model of nebulizer. The median patient age was 11.2 ± 3.74 years. We collected samples from the nebulizer mouthpiece and cup, using a sterile swab moistened with sterile saline. Respiratory samples were collected by asking patients to expectorate into a sterile container or with oropharyngeal swabs after cough stimulation. Cultures were performed on selective media, and bacteria were identified by classical biochemical tests. Patients received oral and written instructions regarding the cleaning and disinfection of nebulizers. All determinations were repeated an average of two months later. RESULTS: Contamination of the nebulizer (any part) was detected in 23 cases (57.5%). The nebulizer mouthpiece and cup were found to be contaminated in 16 (40.0%) and 19 (47.5%), respectively. After the standardized instruction had been given, there was a significant decrease in the proportion of contaminated nebulizers (43.5%). CONCLUSIONS: In our sample of CF patients, nebulizer contamination was common, indicating the need for improvement in patient practices regarding the cleaning and disinfection of their nebulizers. A one-time educational intervention could have a significant positive impact.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do tempo de hospitalização sobre o desenvolvimento neuromotor de recém-nascidos pré-termo (RNPT). Foi feito um estudo prospectivo com 67 RNPT de idade gestacional <36 semanas. O desenvolvimento neuromotor foi avaliado pela escala motora infantil de Alberta (Alberta infant motor scale, AIMS), aplicada no ambulatório de seguimento, quando os RN tinham mediana de idade corrigida de 39 a 44 semanas. Para a análise comparativa, os RNPT foram distribuídos em dois grupos segundo o tempo de hospitalização (TH): grupo A (n=35), com TH <34 dias, e grupo B (n=32), com TH >34 dias. Na análise estatística considerou-se o nível de significância p<0,05. Os escores medianos na AIMS (numa faixa possível de 0 a 21) foram 7 no grupo A, 5 no grupo B; foram encontradas fracas correlações significativas nos dois grupos (r=0,32; r=0,34) entre o escore na AIMS e o TH. Os resultados indicam que os RNPT que permaneceram por mais de 34 dias hospitalizados mostraram atraso no desenvolvimento neuromotor, sugerindo que, sem excluir outros fatores, quanto maior o tempo de internação do RN, maior seu comprometimento motor.