Ribotype stability of serial pulmonary isolates of Pseudomonas cepacia

Article Abstract:

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder of the exocrine glands, and affects the pancreas, respiratory system, and sweat glands. It is characterized by chronic respiratory infection, impaired function of the pancreas, and increased levels of electrolytes in sweat. Patients with cystic fibrosis have an increased risk of developing infection with Pseudomonas cepacia, a bacteria shown to be resistant to several antimicrobial agents. In patients with cystic fibrosis, persistent infection of the lungs with P. cepacia is associated with increased disability and decreased survival. The patterns of infection, which may be either continuous or recurrent, and numbers of bacterial strains involved in P. cepacia infection have not been clarified in this population. Ribotype analysis is a genetic method for distinguishing bacterial strains, and was shown to be effective in differentiating strains of P. cepacia. Ribotyping was used to identify strains of P. cepacia obtained from 12 cystic fibrosis patients with chronic respiratory infection due to P. cepacia. A single strain of P. cepacia caused chronic respiratory infection in 9 of 12 patients, whereas a total 2 genetically different strains of P. cepacia were found in the 3 remaining patients. A change in the infecting strain in two patients was not associated with a change in either patient's clinical condition. The findings show that chronic P. cepacia infection of the lung in cystic fibrosis patients is most frequently caused by a single strain of this bacteria. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Respiratory tract infections, Pseudomonas infections

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Purpuric rashes in cystic fibrosis

Article Abstract:

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder of the glands that secrete through ducts, the exocrine glands, such as mucus glands, sweat glands and the pancreas. A few patients with cystic fibrosis have reported rashes, either with or without associated arthritis (joint swelling). Purpura, pinpoint bleeding below the skin's surface, can occur in conjunction with itching and burning primarily on the legs and feet. Of the 500 patients with cystic fibrosis that were studied, sixteen were found to have rashes. The condition can be brought about by standing for a long time. It is similar to hypergammaglobulinemia purpura, a condition caused by an increase in gammaglobulin G, an antibody produced by the body. Although all patients were taking antibiotics for lung infections and there was no observable relationship between the rash and any specific drugs, drug hypersensitivity cannot be excluded. Perhaps a hypersensitive reaction to bacteria caused tissue damage and swelling. Cystic fibrosis patients with hypergammaglobulinemia have more lung problems, are more ill and have poorer survival than patients with normal gammaglobulin G levels. Purpuric rashes are probably secondary to the severe lung complications found in very ill patients with cystic fibrosis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abnormalities, Skin, Cutaneous manifestations of general diseases, Skin manifestations, Skin abnormalities, Purpura (Pathology), Purpura

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Cystic fibrosis - a full-time occupation or more a way of life?

Article Abstract:

Cystic fibrosis is among the most common inherited genetic disorder in the United States afflicting one in every 20 individuals. Regular chest physiotherapy is vitally important to the CF patient and at the time of CF diagnosis, each patient should be assessed and a treatment programme initiated based on the individual needs of the family. It is very important that health workers closely monitor the patient and support the family since a lot is expected from day-to-day living with a CF patient.

Care and treatment

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