Early acquisition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Mexican children with cystic fibrosis

INTRODUCTION: Chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is associated with a greater deterioration of pulmonary function, increase in hospitalizations and shorter survival in patients with cystic fibrosis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the age of first detection of P. aeruginosa, effectiveness of the eradication treatment and prevalence of other pathogens in airway cultures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of patients with CF diagnosed within first year of life, who had follow-up at University Hospital was studied. Respiratory cultures were obtained quarterly. Patients with infection by P. aeruginosa received eradication treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were included. During follow-up, 608 cultures were performed. In 34.7%, normal flora was detected, S. aureus 32.8%, P. aeruginosa 20.4%. Median age at first positive culture was 9 months. Eradication was achieved in 81.8%. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients with cystic fibrosis, the acquisition of P. aeruginosa is earlier than in other groups reported in literature.