SharedPseudomonas aeruginosagenotypes are common in Australian cystic fibrosis centres

Abstract

Recent molecular-typing studies suggest cross-infection as one of the potential acquisition pathways for Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). In Australia, there is only limited evidence of unrelated patients sharing indistinguishable P. aeruginosa strains. We therefore examined the point-prevalence, distribution, diversity and clinical impact of P. aeruginosa strains in Australian CF patients nationally.983 patients attending 18 Australian CF centres provided 2887 sputum P. aeruginosa isolates for genotyping by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR assays with confirmation by multilocus sequence typing. Demographic and clinical details were recorded for each participant.Overall, 610 (62%) patients harboured at least one of 38 shared genotypes. Most shared strains were in small patient clusters from a limited number of centres. However, the two predominant genotypes, AUST-01 and AUST-02, were widely dispersed, being detected in 220 (22%) and 173 (18%) patients attending 17 and 16 centres, respectively. AUST-01 was associated with significantly greater treatment requirements than unique P. aeruginosa strains.Multiple clusters of shared P. aeruginosa strains are common in Australian CF centres. At least one of the predominant and widespread genotypes is associated with increased healthcare utilisation. Longitudinal studies are now needed to determine the infection control implications of these findings.

Children's Experiences of Cystic Fibrosis: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

“…[50][51][52][53][54][55] Being able to participate in physical activity is viewed as important in both the CF and asthma populations. 56 What may be unique in children and adolescents with CF is how their susceptibility to infections (including cross-infection necessitating segregation 32,57,58 ) limits their lifestyle, reduces their capacity to participate in physical activity, and perpetuates anxiety, isolation, and uncertainty. Also, some felt embarrassed and worried that they would be abandoned by peers who thought their illness was spread by coughing.…”

Twenty-Five-Year Outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infecting Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis: Identification of the Prairie Epidemic Strain

“…In this context, PES has now been identified in at least four western Canadian provinces. Cross-Canadian prevalence studies similar to those in the United Kingdom and Australia are required to fully gauge the extent of transmissible strains within Canada (20,35).…”

Current Approaches to the Management of Infection in Cystic Fibrosis

“…Important studies in Europe and Australia have identified clonal strains, and it is likely that there has been patient to patient transmission [32]. The association with virulence is much less clear with transmissible strains of Pseudomonas.…”