The prevalence of pseudomonas aeruginosa infection over a ten-year period in children with cystic fibrosis

<p><strong>Background</strong></p> <p><em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa </em>(<em>PA</em>) infection is associated with an increased morbidity and adverse prognosis in children with Cystic Fibrosis(CF). The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of <em>PA </em>over a ten year period at a single paediatric tertiary referral centre in Ireland. </p> <p><strong>Methods</strong></p> <p>This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Patient’s case notes, microbiology laboratory results and CF Registry of Ireland(CFRI) data were used to collect the data. </p> <p><strong>Results</strong></p> <p>The overall chronic <em>PA </em>infection prevalence was 28.1%(45/160) in 2004 and 21.3%(35/164) in 2014. In 2004, 54/160(33.8%) patients were never infected with <em>PA</em>, 27/160(16.9%) were free for 12 months and 34/160(21.3%) were intermittently infected. In 2014; 80/164(49%) patients, 38/164(23.2%) and 11/164(6.7%) were never infected, free for 12 months and intermittently infected respectively. </p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p> <p>There has been a decline in the overall prevalence of <em>PA </em>infection and a change in the pattern of prevalence over the last decade at our Centre.</p>