Clinical outcome for cystic fibrosis patients infected with transmissible pseudomonas aeruginosa: an 8-year prospective study.

Background: Although there is now compelling evidence for cross-infection by strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at some specialist (cystic fibrosis [CF]) centers, the clinical impact of infection by transmissible strains is unclear.

Methods: In an 8-year prospective study, we compared the clinical outcome of two groups of patients with CF infected by transmissible (n = 28) and sporadic strains (n = 52) of P aeruginosa.

Results: There were no differences between the two groups in survival, annual changes in spirometry, or BMI.

The changing epidemiology of Burkholderia species infection at an adult cystic fibrosis centre.

Background: This study reviews the impact of changing infection control practices at the Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre (MACFC) upon the epidemiology of Burkholderia species infections.

Methods: We reviewed strain and genomovar typing of all available Burkholderia isolates at our centre between 1983-2006.

Results: The incidence/prevalence of infection with Burkholderia species between 1983-1990 was below 5%/9% each year.

Prospective surveillance for Pseudomonas aeruginosa cross-infection at a cystic fibrosis center.

We have performed a 4-year prospective surveillance for Pseudomonas aeruginosa cross-infection at a large regional adult cystic fibrosis center. Despite purpose-built facilities in a new building and the practice of strict hygiene, P. aeruginosa cross-infection has continued.