Letter

Clinical outcome in relation to care in centres specialising in cystic fibrosis

BMJ 1999; 318 doi: 10.1136/bmj.318.7175.58a (Published 2 January 1999)
Cite this as: BMJ 1999;318:58.2

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Cross infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is unusual

  1. David Spencer, Consultant in respiratory paediatrics
  1. Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN
  2. Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge CB3 8RE

    EDITOR—Mahadeva et al's paper provides valuable evidence of benefit for paediatric and adult patients attending specialised cystic fibrosis centres.1Their conclusion, however, that the mean age at colonisation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is lower in patients who received paediatric and adult care in a centre (11.1years; group A) than in patients who received adult but not paediatric care in a centre (18.1years; group B) cannot be accepted on the basis of the data presented.

    Early detection of infection with P aeruginosa is a major preoccupation for staff working in paediatric cystic fibrosis centres. Colonisation is associated with a rapid decline in pulmonary function, but it can often be delayed or prevented,2 and …

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