[Microbiological study of the respiratory tract in children with cystic fibrosis]

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 1996 Mar;14(3):142-4.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Purpose: Pulmonary infections is a main cause of morbimortality in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis. The objective of this study was to know the flora implicated in respiratory pathology of all mucoviscidotic children attending Hospital Sant Joan de Déu of Barcelona.

Methods: Quantitative cultures from respiratory samples (most of them: sputum) of 26 patients were performed from January 91 to June 93. There were 13 girls and 13 boys, aged 1 to 13 years (mean: 7 years).

Results: 282 microorganisms were isolated from 203 positive samples. Cultures of 88.4% of patients yielded in some moment Haemophilus influenzae, 82.6% of them Haemophilus parainfluenzae, 65.3% Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 50% Streptococcus pneumoniae, 38.4% Staphylococcus aureus. The most prevalent microorganism was P. aeruginosa (66%) followed by H. influenzae (29%) and S. aureus (26.6%). 59% of P. aeruginosa strains showed a mucoid phenotype.

Conclusions: Haemophilus sp. causes short term infections that affect children of all ages, whereas infections due to P. aeruginosa persist in spite of correct antimicrobial therapy.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cystic Fibrosis / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Respiratory System / microbiology
  • Sputum / microbiology*