Common infection causing bacteria

As previously mentioned, because of the CFTR defect, mucus builds up and is a great harvesting ground for bacteria. There are many different bacterias that affect CF patients, but today we're going to review some of the most common infection causing bacteria, symptoms, and treatments.

So, here they are, in no particular order:

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: a gram negative bacteria found in soil, water, and a number of other places. this is one of the most common pseudomonas found in the lungs of CF patients. diagnosis of this bacteria is commonly done by a sputum culture. The patient either coughs up mucus, or is swabbed, the sample is sent to the lab to grow and develop more of the bacteria, and it is then tested. Common symptoms include increased cough, chest pain, fever and difficulty breathing. Antibiotics most commonly prescribed to tackle this bacteria: Ciprofloxicin, meropenem, tobramycin and some penicillins.


Aspergillosis: a commonly known fungus. If an allergy to it is developed it is referred to as Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) it affects about 2-11% of the CF population. Symptoms: inflatmmation, decline in pulmonary functions, coughing, and wheezing. The symptoms are the same as other bacterias, however this is a bacteria that you will want to get treatment for ASAP. Common treatment: prescribed steroids such as prednisone

Burkholderia cepacia:  consists of several species of bacteria found in the natural environment. symptoms: decrease in lung functions, decrease in activity level, congestion, coughing up mucus, wheezing. Common treatment: antibiotics such as: meropenem, piperacillin, doxycycline and several others not listed.
* B cepacia has a large genome. it contains twice the amount of genetic material as E. coli

Menthicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Auereus (MRSA): a strain of bacteria that has evolved, through natural selection, that is resistant to a number of antibiotics including penicillins. The symptoms are the same as other bacterias, however this is a bacteria that you will want to get treatment for ASAP. Lung functions decrease, wheezing, increased cough, fever. MRSA is an increasingly common bacteria found in the lungs of CF patients

The chart below includes a few of these bacteria, and some that were not mentioned. (CF Patient Registry, 2011)

These are just a few of the most common bacteria, later on we will review the ones growing in my pitri dished lungs.


Catch ya later,

B.