Clinical outcomes associated with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infections in adult cystic fibrosis patients

Abstract

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus (SA) is the most prevalent organism infecting the respiratory tract of CF children, and remains the second most prevalent organism in CF adults. During early childhood, SA infections are associated with pulmonary inflammation and decline in FEV1, but their clinical significance in adult CF patients is poorly characterized.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study to determine the association between airway microbiology and clinical outcomes (FEV1, rate of pulmonary exacerbations, CRP levels and clinical scores).ResultsIn a cohort of 84 adult CF patients, 24 % were infected with SA only, 60 % were infected with PA, and 16 % had neither PA nor SA. CF patients with SA experienced fewer pulmonary exacerbations and lower CRP levels than those with PA.ConclusionIn adult CF patients, SA infections alone, in the absence of PA, are a marker of milder disease.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12890-015-0062-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Factors Associated with Worse Lung Function in Cystic Fibrosis Patients with Persistent Staphylococcus aureus

“…In their study, which also included more male patients (n = 55%), 24% of 84 patients were colonized by S . aureus [29]. In conjunction with our data this may suggest that male patients are more likely colonized by S .…”

“…aureus or P . aeruginosa only, or neither of these pathogens [29]. In their study, which also included more male patients (n = 55%), 24% of 84 patients were colonized by S .…”

Interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus during co-cultivations and polymicrobial infections

“…A recent study examined S. aureus as a marker for CF lung disease in adult patients. In children with CF disease, the presence of S. aureus correlated with increased inflammation and decreased lung function (Ahlgren et al 2015). In contrast, S. aureus in adults could be a marker for milder disease, particularly if it coincides with reduced colonization by P. aeruginosa.…”

Cystic Fibrosis

“…Studies of adults found S. aureus to be associated with a lower risk of mortality 30 , better lung function 31 , and a lower risk of exacerbations 32 . Therefore, S. aureus pathogenesis may either be context-dependent (that is, perhaps it is either more pathogenic either in children or in the absence of P. aeruginosa , or it adapts over time to become less pathogenic).…”