Open AccessCystic fibrosis: inflammatory response to infection with Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Author(s) -
Hendry J,
Elborn J.s,
Nixon L,
Shale D.j,
Webb A.k
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
european respiratory journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.021
H-Index - 241
eISSN - 1399-3003
pISSN - 0903-1936
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-3003.1999.14b32.x
Subject(s) - cystic fibrosis , pseudomonas aeruginosa , burkholderia , colonization , burkholderia cepacia complex , microbiology and biotechnology , inflammation , population , medicine , immunology , biology , bacteria , genetics , environmental health
Pulmonary colonization by Burkholderia cepacia in cystic fibrosis (CF) may be associated with enhanced deterioration of pulmonary function. This may be due to a more florid host inflammatory response than in colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa , leading to greater lung injury. Circulating markers of inflammation were determined during infective exacerbations and periods of clinical stability in an 18 month prospective study in adults with CF colonized by P. aeruginosa (n=41). B. cepacia (n=13) and in adults who intermittently grew B. cepacia (n=6). There were no differences between the levels of the inflammation markers measured in the three groups ( P. aeruginosa , B. cepacia , B. cepacia intermittent) at any of the assessment points. When clinically stable, levels of inflammatory markers in all groups were elevated compared to a matched non‐CF population, indicating, continuous inflammation and the potential for lung damage between infective exacerbations. This study does not support the hypothesis that pulmonary colonization with Burkholderia cepacia is associated with a heightened inflammatory response compared with Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization. Eur Respir J 1999; 14: 435–438.