Cystic Fibrosis-microorganisms

Question

Dear madam/sir,

I would like to know which organisms are present when somebody suffers from cystic fibrosis.

Thank you!

Answer

Dear ECORN-user,

Patients with cystic fibrosis typically develop lung infections. Very specific pathogens damage the lung of somebody with cystic fibrosis whereas these bacteria only rarely cause lung infection in healthy people. Young children are commonly infected with Staphylococcus aureus and to a less degree Haemophilus influenza. Another bacteria very typical for CF is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacteria can cause cross infection between patients with CF. Therefore it is very important that patients with and without the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa do not get in contact with each other. When a chronic infection with Pseudomonas occurs, a faster deterioration of lung function is commonly seen. When patients become older, other types of infection occur with even more unusual pathogens than Pseudomonas such as Achromobacter, Burkholderia and fungi. In CF centres great care is taken to segregate patients with different types of infection. The best is even that patients have no contact whatever with each other. You can read more on this topics under ‘Pseudomonas aeruginosa’ and ‘hygienic measures’.

Kind regards,

Prof. Dr. K. De Boeck

05.06.2012