Variations in infection control practices suggest a need for guidelines
in primary ciliary dyskinesia patient care
Abstract
Primary ciliary dyskinesis (PCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder
associated with impaired mucociliary clearance caused by defects in
ciliary structure and function. The major clinical feature of PCD is
recurring or persistent respiratory tract infection. Respiratory tract
colonization with drug-resistant organisms impact the frequency of
infections and lung function decline. Protective gear has been employed
by caregivers in an attempt to control respiratory tract bacterial
spread between patients with cystic fibrosis but use in PCD is not
known. We conducted a web-based survey to investigate infection control
and prevention practices of PCD centers in North America. The response
rate was 87.0%. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, glove, gown and mask
use was variable, and only 3.7% of centers used masks during encounters
with PCD outpatients. After COVID-19 mandates are lifted, 48.1% of
centers plan to continue to use masks during outpatient care, while the
practice regarding use of gloves and gowns was not influenced by the
current pandemic. There is no uniform practice for infection control in
PCD care indicating the need for practice guidelines. Mitigation of
respiratory virus transmission learned during the COVID-19 pandemic may
impact future infection control approaches used for patients with PCD
and other lung diseases.