A cohort study of the Copenhagen CF Centre eradication strategy against Staphylococcus aureus in patients with CF.

BACKGROUND

Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen in CF. Centre prevalence of intermittent colonization and chronic S. aureus infections and the effectiveness of an anti-S. aureus eradication strategy was assessed.

METHODS

All airway cultures from 300 patients in a 2-year period were retrieved and all anti-S. aureus antibiotic treatments were evaluated for treatment success. Chronic infection was defined as a positive culture of S. aureus in 50% or more of the months each year. Change in FEV(1) following 2weeks of treatment of S. aureus was assessed in clinically stable patients. Primary outcome was S. aureus eradication at next clinical visit and number of patients chronically infected.

RESULTS

The yearly prevalence of S. aureus intermittent and chronic infection was 47% and 14%, respectively. Eradication was successful at the next clinical visit in 61% of the standard treatment and 53% of the prolonged treatments, respectively. FEV(1) improved significantly following anti-S. aureus treatment (3.3%, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Our anti-S. aureus eradication strategy in CF patients resulted in a low prevalence of chronic infections and high treatment efficacy. Furthermore, anti-staphylococcal treatment may be associated with a short-term improvement in lung function.