Enhancement of Pulmozyme activity in purulent sputum by combination with poly-aspartic acid or gelsolin.

Background: DNase (Pulmozyme) effectiveness in cystic fibrosis treatment is in some cases limited by its inability to access DNA trapped within bundles in highly viscous fluids that also contain actin. Dissociating DNA-containing bundles using actin depolymerizing agents and polyanions has potential to increase DNase efficacy.

Methods: Fluorescence measurements of YOYO-1 and a rheological creep-recovery test quantified DNA content and viscoelasticity in 150 sputum samples from adult CF patients and their susceptibility to fluidization by DNase1, alone and in combination with gelsolin and poly-aspartate (p-Asp).

Cystic fibrosis and pregnancy in the modern era: a case control study.

Background: Increasingly, women with cystic fibrosis become pregnant. Outcomes of these women need further study particularly in the setting of improved survival in CF.

Methods: We performed a case-control study of pregnant CF women including 22 matched pairs with an average follow-up of 4.

Successful treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pulmonary infection with linezolid in a patient with cystic fibrosis.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant cause of pulmonary infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Because these organisms are frequently multidrug-resistant, most patients require intravenous therapy with vancomycin. We report on the first case of successful treatment of a pulmonary exacerbation due to MRSA in a CF patient with a new antimicrobial, linezolid.