Cystic fibrosis pathogens survive for extended periods within cough-generated droplet nuclei. Issue 1 (7th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wood, Michelle E; Stockwell, Rebecca E; Johnson, Graham R; Ramsay, Kay A; Sherrard, Laura J; Kidd, Timothy J; Cheney, Joyce; Ballard, Emma L; O'Rourke, Peter; Jabbour, Nassib; Wainwright, Claire E; Knibbs, Luke D; Sly, Peter D; Morawska, Lidia; Bell, Scott C
• Is Part Of: Thorax. Volume 74:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 87
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2018-04-07
• Subjects: cystic fibrosis -- infection control; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Thorax; Chest -- Diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.54
• DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2018-211567
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0040-6376

Abstract

Abstract : The airborne route is a potential pathway in the person-to-person transmission of bacterial strains among cystic fibrosis (CF) populations. In this cross-sectional study, we investigate the physical properties and survival of common non- Pseudomonas aeruginosa CF pathogens generated during coughing. We conclude that Gram-negative bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus are aerosolised during coughing, can travel up to 4 m and remain viable within droplet nuclei for up to 45 min. These results suggest that airborne person-to-person transmission is plausible for the CF pathogens we measured.