A network meta-analysis of the efficacy of inhaled antibiotics for chronic Pseudomonas infections in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Various inhaled antibiotics are currently used for treating chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, however their relative efficacies are unclear. We compared the efficacy of the inhaled antibiotics tobramycin (TIP, TIS-T, TIS-B), colistimethate sodium (colistin) and aztreonam lysine for inhalation (AZLI) based on data from randomised controlled trials.

Methods: In the base case, efficacies of antibiotics were compared using a network meta-analysis of seven trials including change from baseline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) % predicted, P.

Detection of anaerobic bacteria in high numbers in sputum from patients with cystic fibrosis.

Rationale: Pulmonary infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) is polymicrobial and it is possible that anaerobic bacteria, not detected by routine aerobic culture methods, reside within infected anaerobic airway mucus.

Objectives: To determine whether anaerobic bacteria are present in the sputum of patients with CF.

Methods: Sputum samples were collected from clinically stable adults with CF and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from children with CF.