Prognostic implications of initial oropharyngeal bacterial flora in patients with cystic fibrosis diagnosed before the age of two years

To evaluate the significance of early bacteriologic findings in infants and younger children with cystic fibrosis, we divided patients identified at ≤2 years of age into groups by initial oropharyngeal culture: group NF, normal respiratory flora (n = 17); group SA, Staphylococcus aureus without Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 20); group PA, P. aeruginosa without S. aureus (n = 6); group PA/SA, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus (n = 7); and group O, other potentially pathogenic bacteria (n = 31). Follow-up of patients ranged in age from 5.4 to 13 years. At diagnosis, group PA/SA had lower Brasfield scores ( p