Bronchopulmonary infection–colonization patterns in Spanish cystic fibrosis patients: Results from a national multicenter study

Abstract Background Clinical and demographical knowledge on Spanish cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is incomplete as no national registry exists. CF-microbiology has not been studied at national level. The results of the first Spanish multicenter study on CF microbiology are presented. Methods 24 CF-Units for adult (n = 12) and pediatric (n = 12) patients from 17 hospitals provided sputa and clinical data from 15 consecutive patients. Cultures and susceptibility testing were performed. Colonization impact on pulmonary function was assessed. Results 341 patients [mean (SD) age 21 (11) years, 180 ≥ 18 years, mean (SD) FEV1 = 68 (25)%] were included. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was reported as chronic, intermittent or absent in 46%, 22% and 32% of patients, respectively. The annual prevalence was 62%. Positive P. aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus cultures were significantly associated with lower FEV1 (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). Conclusions The representative subset of the Spanish CF-population which has been clinically, demographically and microbiologically characterized will serve as a reference for future CF studies in Spain.