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Pseudomonas cepacia in the sputum of cystic fibrosis patients
1Department of Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales.
Abstract:
Colonization of sputum by Pseudomonas cepacia has been associated with progressive respiratory deterioration and a worsening prognosis for some cystic fibrosis patients. After laboratory methods were changed and a selective medium introduced, P. cepacia was isolated from the sputa of 16 out of 82 patients with cystic fibrosis attending this hospital: a prevalence rate of 20%. P. cepacia was found in the first sputum examined of 12 patients after the new methods were introduced, indicating that colonization was not necessarily a recent event. All isolates were satisfactorily identified using conventional media but half were identified with only a low level of confidence using the API 20NE kit. Further studies using adequate laboratory methods are required to determine the prevalence and significance of this organism in Australia.
Insights
Pseudomonas cepacia colonization in cystic fibrosis patients was found in 20% of cases. This bacterium, Pseudomonas cepacia, may not be a recent colonizer and requires further study in Australia.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Pseudomonas cepacia colonization is linked to poorer outcomes in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.
- Effective laboratory identification is crucial for managing CF patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Pseudomonas cepacia in cystic fibrosis patients at a specific hospital.
- To assess the reliability of laboratory methods for identifying P. cepacia in CF sputum samples.
Main Methods:
- Sputum samples from 82 cystic fibrosis patients were analyzed.
- Laboratory methods were updated, including the introduction of a selective medium.
- Conventional identification methods and the API 20NE kit were used for P. cepacia identification.
Main Results:
- Pseudomonas cepacia was isolated from 16 out of 82 patients, a prevalence of 20%.
- In 12 patients, P. cepacia was present in the initial sputum sample, suggesting pre-existing colonization.
- Conventional media provided satisfactory identification, but the API 20NE kit yielded low confidence in half of the cases.
Conclusions:
- A significant prevalence of Pseudomonas cepacia (20%) was observed in the studied cystic fibrosis patient cohort.
- The reliability of the API 20NE kit for P. cepacia identification in this context needs improvement.
- Further research is necessary to ascertain the full prevalence and clinical significance of P. cepacia in Australia.