Diagnosing and managing infection in CF.

Acute and chronic bacterial infections of the lower respiratory tract remain one of the hallmarks of cystic fibrosis lung disease. We here review some of the controversial areas of diagnosing airway infection in CF patients including the use of techniques such as induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage. Treatment strategies have evolved over the years and there is ongoing discussion as to whether to treat on the basis of symptoms, positive cultures alone or continuously regardless of clinical and laboratory findings. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy with anti-staphylococcal antibiotics has been linked to a higher incidence of P. aeruginosa infection, but it is still unclear whether this side effect is limited to broader spectrum antibiotics such as cephalosporins. Early antibiotic therapy against P. aeruginosa has become an accepted treatment strategy as it not only delays the onset of chronic infection, but also leads to eradication of the organism in the majority of patients. So far no evidence exists that combination therapy is superior to inhaled therapy alone. In addition, the optimal duration of therapy type of inhaled antibiotic as well as the optimal dose has not been clarified. Studies are currently ongoing to resolve these issues.