Early aggressive eradication therapy for intermittent Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway colonization in cystic fibrosis patients: 15 years experience

Background: Since 1989, CF-patients intermittently colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been treated with inhaled colistin and oral ciprofloxacin in the Copenhagen CF-centre. The study evaluates 15 years results of this treatment. Methods: All isolates of P aeruginosa from CF-patients intermittently colonized with P. aeruginosa from 1989 to 2003 were identified All antiP. aeruginosa treatments were evaluated for antibiotics used, treatment duration, pseudomonas-free interval and development of chronic infection. All P. aeruginosa isolates were assessed for resistance and for non-mucoid or mucoid phenotype. Results: 146 CF-patients were included in the study (1106 patient-years). 99 patients had first ever isolate during the study period. Median observation time 7 years (0.1-14.9). 12 patients developed chronic infection. A Kaplan Meyer plot showed protection from chronic infection in up to 80% of patients for up to 15 years. 613 colistin/ciprofloxacin treatments were given. There was no difference in pseudo in on as-free interval comparing 3 weeks (5 months) and 3 months (10.4 months) of colistin and ciprofloxacin, but a significant difference compared to no treatment (1.9 months). Patients developing chronic infection had significantly shorter pseudo monas-free interval after treatment of first ever isolate compared to patients remaining intermittently colonized (p<0.003). Treatment failure (P aeruginosa-positive Culture immediately after ended treatment of first ever isolate) was a strong risk factor for development of chronic infection after 3-4 years, OR 5.8. 1093 pseudomonas-isolates were evaluated (86.6% non-mucoid). No colistin-resistance was found. Ciprofloxacin-resistance was found in 4% of isolates. Conclusion: Treatment of intermittent P. aeruginosa colonization in CF-patients using colistin and ciprofloxacin can protect tip to 80% of patients from development of chronic infection for tip to 15 years. A positive culture immediately after treatment of first ever isolate is a strong risk factor for development of chronic infection. We found no colistin-resistance and minimal ciprofloxacin-resistance. (C) 2008 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.