A STUDY OF HOSPITAL AND HOME BACTERIAL EN VIRONMENT IN CYSTIC-FIBROSIS

In order to determine the risk of contamination by Pseudomonas aerugin osa (PA) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) from the environment in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, we collected samples from home and hospital s ites. 285 samples from 19 CF patients' homes, 285 samples from 19 cont rols' homes, 800 samples from hospital were collected by an hygienist for culture and identification of strains. Sites for sampling were cho sen according to known optimal development conditions for SA and PA. W e determined which patients were carriers of SA or PA at the time of s tudy. In the hospital, we found 75/743 positive cultures with 43 SA an d 32 PA (5.5 % and 5.63 % of total). At home, one of the controls and 4 CF patients had PA species. We found 22/285 positive cultures in 8 C F patients for SA (7.72 %) and 7/285 positive samples from 7 controls (2.45 %). At home, the PA positive samples were provided by a sponge a nd a flower vase and in hospital by sites as confounding as a disinfec tant bottle, a water heater for infants bottles and a tap used for han dwashing. All SA species were found on textiles or soft toys. No corre lation between home species and sputum carrying was found. In conclusi on, CF patients risk encountering SA and PA in hospital environment an d SA in home textiles. Easy hygiene procedures could be undertaken at home as well as severe hygiene monitoring in the hospital to prevent f irst contamination or recontamination of CF patients by these species.