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Early respiratory viral infections in infants with cystic fibrosis

Ashley R Deschamp1, Joseph E Hatch2, James E Slaven3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis : Official Journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society
|March 4, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Early viral infections in infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) are linked to increased airway inflammation and bacterial infections. This highlights the importance of understanding viral impacts on CF lung disease development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics and Genomics

Background:

  • Viral infections are a significant cause of illness in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.
  • The precise role of respiratory viruses in the early development of CF airway disease remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of early viral infections on airway inflammation and bacterial colonization in infants with CF.
  • To explore the relationship between viral infections and antibiotic use in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective observational study enrolled 70 infants with CF before 4 months of age.
  • Nasopharyngeal swabs were analyzed for respiratory viruses using multiplex PCR.
  • Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and pulmonary function tests were performed.

Main Results:

  • Rhinovirus was the most common virus (66%), followed by parainfluenza and coronavirus.
  • Viral infections correlated with increased neutrophils and bacterial pathogens in BAL fluid.
  • Viruses were detected in 52% of cases where antibiotics were prescribed for respiratory issues.

Conclusions:

  • Early viral infections in infants with CF are associated with neutrophilic inflammation and bacterial presence.
  • These viral infections may initiate lower airway inflammation in young CF patients.
  • Further research is needed to understand the interplay of viral infections, the airway microbiome, and antibiotic use in CF.
Abstract

Keywords:
BacteriaCystic fibrosisInflammationPathogensViruses

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