PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Mooney

Publications and source records attributed to L Mooney.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia contamination of nebulizers used to deliver aerosolized therapy to inpatients with cystic fibrosis.

There is circumstantial evidence that nebulizer equipment may be a source of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia for patients with cystic fibrosis. Eighty-nine inpatient nebulizers were examined for evidence of S. maltophilia contamination of which nine (10%) yielded 14 strains of the bacterium. Environmental samples were obtained from 73 different sites on the ward, of which 17 (23%) yielded a further 21 strains. Positive sites included taps, sink drains, and potable water. Genotyping using ERIC-PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that two pairs of patients' nebulizers were contaminated with closely related strains. None of the S. maltophilia isolates obtained from the ward environment shared genotypes with those obtained from the nebulizers. The frequency of isolation of S. maltophilia from potable water sources on the ward suggests that contamination may result from using it to clean reusable nebulizer equipment, particularly if this is followed by inadequate drying. Although the actual source of S. maltophilia contamination of hospital-use nebulizer equipment in this study remained elusive, these results have important infection control implications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Transmission of colistin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa between patients attending a pediatric cystic fibrosis center.

We report on an outbreak of colistin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) that occurred in a United Kingdom pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) unit and involved six children over a period of 5 years. All CRPA-positive children had received aerosolized colistin therapy before first isolation of resistant organisms (mean duration, 3.1 years). Four of the 6 had also received courses of intravenous colistin in the year before the first isolation of CRPA. No impact of CRPA acquisition on respiratory function, clinical condition, or radiological parameters could be demonstrated. Four of the 6 children carried isolates of CRPA indistinguishable on genotyping. Two of these 4 children were sisters. The other 2 were on the same ward together at time of first isolation, and subsequently shared overlapping admissions with one of the sisters. While there is no conclusive evidence for the route of transmission, the frequency of overlapping in-patient admissions between 3 of these patients is suggestive of patient-to-patient transfer in the nosocomial setting.CF clinicians should be aware that colistin resistance can occur in P. aeruginosa, and some of these strains are capable of spread within CF units.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2001

Survival of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia following exposure to concentrations of tobramycin used in aerosolized therapy for cystic fibrosis patients.

The use of aerosolized tobramycin is an important component in the management of patients with cystic fibrosis, particularly those with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Clinicians have been concerned that long-term therapy with aerosolized tobramycin may increase the risk of colonization with multi-resistant bacteria, including Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The ability of five strains (three clinical, two environmental) of S. maltophilia to survive exposure to 16000 microg/mL tobramycin, a concentration commonly found inside the atomization chamber of nebulizers used to deliver aerosolized therapy, was studied. Under a variety of different growth conditions, all five strains were able to survive exposure to 16000 microg/mL of tobramycin. Post-exposure recovery was enhanced at 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C in comparison with 37 degrees C under all test conditions. The importance of these findings in relation to the epidemiology of S. maltophilia in patients with cystic fibrosis is discussed.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2001

Susceptibility of Burkholderia cepacia and other pathogens of importance in cystic fibrosis to u.v. light.

To investigate the potential usefulness of u.v. germicidal irradiation (UVGI) in preventing the spread of Burkholderia cepacia, an important pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF), the in-vitro susceptibility of B. cepacia to UVGI was determined. Five strains were exposed to UVGI from a 7.2-W source. Burkholderia cepacia was less susceptible to UVGI than other important CF-related pathogens, namely Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but was more susceptible than Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. No strain of B. cepacia survived longer than an 8 s exposure to UVGI, with doses required to achieve 1 log reduction in bacterial numbers ranging from 28.3 to 57.5 J m(-2).

Burkholderia Infections↗
PubMed1995

Peer review: an approach to performance evaluation in a professional practice model.

Role expectations of staff nurses are changing, and nurses must become empowered and actively involved in facilitating that change, rather than having their role changed for them. The shared governance framework provides an efficient way to meet current changes and increased responsibilities. Peer review is an integral component of this framework. A professional practice model with peer review increases the accountability of its members by encouraging improved work achievement and reinforcing high standards of practice. Promoting communication and sharing of each individual's practice enhances a sense of teamwork and encourages creativity and an increased sense of ownership regarding nursing practice among all model members.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Preliminary studies on the effect of moderate physical activity on blood levels of glutathione.

Molecular epidemiological approaches are being used to study how physical activity may protect against cancer. Prior epidemiological data suggest that physical activity protects against lung cancer; however, interpretation of these data is complicated by potential confounding by smoking. Glutathione (GSH) detoxifies cigarette smoke carcinogens and the paper tests whether physical activity levels are associated with blood GSH levels. Study subjects were enrolled in a chemoprevention trial testing whether antioxidant micronutrient supplementation reduces genetic damage from cigarette smoking. Physical activity data were collected by questionnaire from 178 subjects at 12 months of follow-up in the trial. Total GSH (tGSH), which is the sum of free and protein-bound GSH and glutathione disulfide levels, was measured using the 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzenoic acid) colormetric assay with red blood cell samples collected at the 12-month time point. In multivariate linear regression analyses that controlled for gender and cigarettes smoked per day, tGSH was positively associated with hours per week of moderate intensity activity (beta=0.005, p=0.02). Hours per week of vigorous intensity activity were unassociated with tGSH and the effect of moderate activity remained after control for vigorous activity. The results are consistent with prior research showing differential effects of moderate and vigorous activity and suggest a mechanism through which physical activity may influence lung cancer risk.

Adult↗