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Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
15:43

Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice

Published on: March 17, 2014

Association between mucoid Pseudomonas infection and bronchiectasis in children with cystic fibrosis

Philip M Farrell1, Jannette Collins, Lynn S Broderick

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis, USA.

Radiology
|August 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory infection with mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) significantly correlates with bronchiectasis severity in children with cystic fibrosis. Early eradication of PA is crucial for preventing irreversible lung disease.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder leading to chronic lung infections and progressive lung damage.
  • Bronchiectasis, an irreversible lung condition, is a common complication in children with CF.
  • Identifying risk factors for bronchiectasis is critical for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between bronchiectasis severity in pediatric CF patients and various clinical and microbiological factors.
  • To identify specific risk factors contributing to the development of irreversible lung disease in CF.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal epidemiologic evaluation was conducted on CF patients from a newborn screening trial (1985-2009).
  • Thin-section chest computed tomography (CT) was used to objectively assess bronchiectasis severity.
  • Respiratory secretions were cultured to differentiate mucoid and nonmucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infections.

Main Results:

  • Bronchiectasis was observed in 83% of the studied pediatric CF patients.
  • Respiratory infection with mucoid PA was the only significant risk factor correlated with bronchiectasis severity (P = .041).

Conclusions:

  • The severity of bronchiectasis in children with CF is significantly associated with mucoid PA respiratory infections.
  • Preventive strategies should focus on minimizing exposure to and ensuring early eradication of PA in CF patients.
Abstract

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