82 Contribution of early and repeated nasopharyngeal aspirate cultures in pediatric cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Objectives Early diagnosis of P. aeruginosa (PA) is important in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients. Nasopharyngeal aspirate (NFA) is the alternative way of sampling in children without sputum production. our aim was to investigate the contrubution of early and repeated nasopharyngeal aspirate cultures in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients. Methods In our clinics, NFA was obtained from particularly infant patients without sputum in every month until PA isolation. Results Sixty-four patients were enrolled to the study. Fifty-eight percent of the patients were male and the median age was 42.5 months. Age groups of patients were; 32% between 0–24 months, 24% between 25–60 months, 21% 61–120 months, 22% 121 months and higher. Bacteria isolation was achieved in 84% of patients. In order of frequency, PA (44%), MSS (20%), S. pneumoniae (16%), H. influenzae (13%), Klebsiella (13%), Moraxella (9%), MRSA (6%), and other (11%). The most frequent isolate in 0–24 months of age was; PA (37%), S. aureus (27%), S. pneumoniae (25%), Klebsiella (16%), respectively. In 25–60 months; PA (28%), S. aureus (24%), H. influenzae (12%), Moraxella (12%), and Klebsiella (12%). In 61 to 120 months; PA (50%), S. aureus (20%), and H. influenzae (20%). Above 121 months; PA (39%) and S. aureus (36%) were the commonest pathogen. Conclusion In our study, PA, was found to be the most common pathogen in every age group. Early and repeated NFA culture is thought to be an effective way of detection of PA in pediatric CF.