Pseudomonas aeruginosa Susceptibility Patterns and Associated Clinical Outcomes in People with Cystic Fibrosis following Approval of Aztreonam Lysine for Inhalation.

The approval of aztreonam lysine for inhalation solution (AZLI) raised concerns that additional antibiotic exposure would potentially affect the susceptibility profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. This 5-year, prospective, observational study tracked susceptibility changes and clinical outcomes in CF patients in the United States with chronic P. aeruginosa infection. Sputum cultures were collected annually (2011 to 2016). The primary study endpoint was the proportion of subjects whose least susceptible P. aeruginosa isolate had an aztreonam MIC that was >8 µg/ml (parenteral breakpoint) and increased ≥4-fold compared with the least susceptible isolate from the previous year. Annualized data for pulmonary exacerbations, hospitalizations, and percent of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1% predicted) were obtained from the CF Foundation Patient Registry and compared between subjects meeting and those not meeting the primary endpoint. A total of 510 subjects were enrolled; 334 (65%) completed the study. A consistent proportion of evaluable subjects (13 to 22%) met the primary endpoint each year, and AZLI use during the previous 12 months was not associated with meeting the primary endpoint. While the annual declines in lung function were comparable for subjects meeting and those not meeting the primary endpoint, more pulmonary exacerbations and hospitalizations were experienced by those who met it. The aztreonam susceptibility of P. aeruginosa remained consistent during the 5-year study. The relationship between P. aeruginosa isolate susceptibilities and clinical outcomes is complex; reduced susceptibility was not associated with an accelerated decline in lung function but was associated with more exacerbations and hospitalizations, likely reflecting increased overall antibiotic exposure. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT01375036.).

Clinafloxacin for Treatment of Burkholderia cenocepacia Infection in a Cystic Fibrosis Patient.

Respiratory infection with Burkholderia cenocepacia is associated with accelerated decline in lung function and increased mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients (A. M. Jones, M. E. Dodd, J. R. W. Govan, V. Barcus, C. J. Doherty, J. Morris, and A. K. Webb, Thorax 59:948-951, 2004, http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/thx.2003.017210). B. cenocepacia often possesses innate resistance to multiple antimicrobial classes, making eradication uncommon in established infection (P. B. Davis, Am J Respir Crit Care Med 173:475-482, 2006, http://dx.doi.org/10.1164/rccm.200505-840OE). We report the use of clinafloxacin in a CF patient with advanced B. cenocepacia infection, present pharmacokinetic (PK) data, and discuss the potential therapeutic role of clinafloxacin in patients with this condition.

Coccidioides Immitis Infection with Involvement of the Airway.

Coccidioides immitis is a fungus endemic to the southwest United States and can present as an asymptomatic infection, acute pneumonia, chronic progressive pneumonia, or disseminated extrapulmonary infection which most commonly involves the skin, lymph nodes, bones, joints, or meninges. Diagnosis can be made by serologic testing or by biopsy or culture of affected tissue. Acute pneumonia due to fungi cannot be readily distinguished from bacterial pneumonia without specific diagnostic testing. Occasionally, endobronchial/tracheal lesions can be found on bronchoscopy in patients with fungal pneumonia, and when present, should raise suspicion for this entity. We present a case of acute pneumonia due to C. immitis in a non-endemic region thatwas rapidly diagnosed by biopsy of an endobronchial excrescence. We discuss previous reports of airway involvement in fungal infections and the importance of direct discussion with a pathologist when attempting to identify regionally uncommon organisms.

Association between CFTR modulators and changes in iron deficiency markers in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency (ID) is a common extrapulmonary manifestation in cystic fibrosis (CF). CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies, particularly highly-effective modulator therapy (HEMT), have drastically improved health status in a majority of people with CF. We hypothesize that CFTR modulator use is associated with improved markers of ID. METHODS: In a multicenter retrospective cohort study across 4 United States CF centers 2012-2022, the association between modulator therapies and ID laboratory outcomes was estimated using multivariable linear mixed effects models overall and by key subgroups. Summary statistics describe the prevalence and trends of ID, defined a priori as transferrin saturation (TSAT) <20 % or serum iron <60 µg/dL (<10.7 µmol/L). RESULTS: A total of 568 patients with 2571 person-years of follow-up were included in analyses. Compared to off modulator therapy, HEMT was associated with +8.4 % TSAT (95 % confidence interval [CI], +6.3-10.6 %; p < 0.0001) and +34.4 µg/dL serum iron (95 % CI, +26.7-42.1 µg/dL; p < 0.0001) overall; +5.4 % TSAT (95 % CI, +2.8-8.0 %; p = 0.0001) and +22.1 µg/dL serum iron (95 % CI, +13.5-30.8 µg/dL; p < 0.0001) in females; and +11.4 % TSAT (95 % CI, +7.9-14.8 %; p < 0.0001) and +46.0 µg/dL serum iron (95 % CI, +33.3-58.8 µg/dL; p < 0.0001) in males. Ferritin was not different in those taking modulator therapy relative to off modulator therapy. Hemoglobin was overall higher with use of modulator therapy. The prevalence of ID was high throughout the study period (32.8 % in those treated with HEMT). CONCLUSIONS: ID remains a prevalent comorbidity in CF, despite availability of HEMT. Modulator use, particularly of HEMT, is associated with improved markers for ID (TSAT, serum iron) and anemia (hemoglobin).

Long-term inhaled dry powder mannitol in cystic fibrosis: an international randomized study.

RATIONALE: New treatment strategies are needed to improve airway clearance and reduce the morbidity and the time burden associated with cystic fibrosis (CF). OBJECTIVES: To determine whether long-term treatment with inhaled mannitol, an osmotic agent, improves lung function and morbidity. METHODS: Double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of inhaled mannitol, 400 mg twice a day (n = 192, "treated" group) or 50 mg twice a day (n = 126, "control" group) for 26 weeks, followed by 26 weeks of open-label treatment. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary endpoint was absolute change in FEV(1) from baseline in treated versus control groups, averaged over the study period. Secondary endpoints included other spirometric measurements, pulmonary exacerbations, and hospitalization. Clinical, microbiologic, and laboratory safety were assessed. The treated group had a mean improvement in FEV(1) of 105 ml (8.2% above baseline). The treated group had a relative improvement in FEV(1) of 3.75% (P = 0.029) versus the control group. Adverse events and sputum microbiology were similar in both treatment groups. Exacerbation rates were low, but there were fewer in the treated group (hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-1.32; P = 0.31), although this was not statistically significant. In the 26-week open-label extension study, FEV(1) was maintained in the original treated group, and improved in the original control group to the same degree. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled mannitol, 400 mg twice a day, resulted in improved lung function over 26 weeks, which was sustained after an additional 26 weeks of treatment. The safety profile was also acceptable, demonstrating the potential role for this chronic therapy for CF. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 00630812).

Gaps in Cystic Fibrosis Care Are Associated with Reduced Lung Function in the U.S. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry.

Rationale: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease leading to progressive lung function loss and early mortality. Many clinical and demographic variables are associated with lung function decline, but little is known about the effects of prolonged periods of missed care. Objectives: To determine if missed care in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry (CFFPR) is associated with decreased lung function at follow-up visits. Methods: Deidentified CFFPR data for 2004-2016 were analyzed, with the exposure of interest being ⩾12-month gap in CFFPR data. We modeled percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second using longitudinal semiparametric modeling with natural cubic splines for age (knots at quantiles) and with subject-specific random effects, adjusted for sex and CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) genotype, race, and ethnicity and included time-varying covariates for gaps in care, insurance type, underweight body mass index, CF-related diabetes status, and chronic infections. Results: A total of 24,328 individuals with 1,082,899 encounters in the CFFPR met inclusion criteria. In the cohort, 8,413 (35%) individuals had at least a single ⩾12-month episode of discontinuity, whereas 15,915 (65%) had continuous care. Of the encounters preceded by a 12-month gap, 75.8% occurred in patients 18 years and older. Compared with those with continuous care, those with a discontinuous care episode had a lower follow-up percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second at the index visit (-0.81%; 95% confidence interval, -1.00, -0.61) after adjustment for other variables. The magnitude of this difference was much greater (-2.1%; 95% confidence interval, -1.5, -2.7) in young adult F508del homozygotes. Conclusions: There was a high rate of ⩾12-month gap in care, especially in adults, documented in the CFFPR. Discontinuous care identified in the CFFPR was strongly associated with decreased lung function, especially in adolescents and young adults homozygous for the F508del CFTR mutation. This may have implications for identifying and treating people with lengthy gaps in care and may have implications for CFF care recommendations.

Complications and Practice Variation in the Use of Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters in People With Cystic Fibrosis: The Prospective Study of Peripherally Inserted Venous Catheters in People With Cystic Fibrosis Study.

BACKGROUND: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are used commonly to administer antibiotics to people with cystic fibrosis (CF), but their use can be complicated by venous thrombosis and catheter occlusion. RESEARCH QUESTION: Which participant-, catheter-, and catheter management-level attributes are associated with increased risk of complications of PICCs among people with CF? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of adults and children with CF who received PICCs at 10 CF care centers in the United States. The primary end point was defined as occlusion of the catheter resulting in unplanned removal, symptomatic venous thrombosis in the extremity containing the catheter, or both. Three categories of composite secondary outcomes were identified: difficult line placement, local soft tissue or skin reactions, and catheter malfunction. Data specific to the participant, catheter placement, and catheter management were collected in a centralized database. Risk factors for primary and secondary outcomes were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Between June 2018 and July 2021, 157 adults and 103 children older than 6 years with CF had 375 PICCs placed. Patients underwent 4,828 catheter-days of observation. Of the 375 PICCs, 334 (89%) were ≤ 4.5 F, 342 (91%) were single lumen, and 366 (98%) were placed using ultrasound guidance. The primary outcome occurred in 15 PICCs for an event rate of 3.11 per 1,000 catheter-days. No cases of catheter-related bloodstream infection occurred. Other secondary outcomes developed in 147 of 375 catheters (39%). Despite evidence of practice variation, no risk factors for the primary outcome and few risk factors for secondary outcomes were identified. INTERPRETATION: This study affirmed the safety of contemporary approaches to inserting and using PICCs in people with CF. Given the low rate of complications in this study, observations may reflect a widespread shift to selecting smaller-diameter PICCs and using ultrasound to guide their placement.

Urinary stone disease prevalence and associations in cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) may predispose patients to urinary stone disease (USD), but reported prevalence of USD in patients with CF in previous small studies is variable. To date, analysis of risk factors for USD within the CF population has been limited. We studied 29,396 patients in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry to calculate age and sex-stratified prevalence of USD. For adult patients, we examined age and multivariable-adjusted cross-sectional associations between demographic and clinical factors, CFTR mutation class, and prevalent USD. Prevalence of USD was 0.4% (95% CI 0.3-0.5%) under age 18 years, 3.1% (2.7-3.6%) at 18-24 years, 6.4% (5.8-7.1%) at 25-34 years, 7.5% (6.5-8.5%) at 35-44 years, and 6.7% (5.8-7.8%) at 45 years and older. Prevalence for women was higher than men at younger (< 45 years) but not older ages (P value for interaction < 0.0005). Multivariable odds of prevalent USD were significantly increased for severe CFTR mutations, OR 1.53 (1.14-2.06), diabetes, OR 1.24 (1.03-1.50), hypertension, OR 1.58 (1.29-1.93), and chronic macrolide therapy, OR 1.27 (1.07-1.52). BMI was not associated with USD. USD prevalence in CF is similar to that in the general population. With the exception of BMI, known risk factors for USD in the general population also appear to be important for patients with CF. We identified several novel associations in CF patients, including greater prevalence of USD in individuals with severe CFTR mutations and among young women.

A pilot study of cystic fibrosis exacerbation response phenotypes reveals contrasting serum and sputum iron trends.

The cystic fibrosis (CF) community seeks to explain heterogeneous outcomes of pulmonary exacerbation (PEX) treatment. Serum and sputum inflammatory mediators may identify people with CF (PwCF) at risk for suboptimal responses. However, lack of an established association between response phenotypes and these mediators limits clinical application. In this pilot study, we prospectively characterized treatment response phenotypes by assessing health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) during PEX. We also measured lung function and iron-related biochemical parameters in serum and sputum. We classified subjects as sustained symptom-responders (SRs) or non-sustained symptom-responders (NSRs) based on the absence or presence, respectively, of worsened symptom scores after initial improvement. We used linear mixed models (LMMs) to determine whether trends in lung function, hematologic, serum, and sputum indices of inflammation differed between response cohorts. In 20 PwCF, we identified 10 SRs and 10 NSRs with no significant differences in lung function at PEX onset and treatment durations. SRs had better model-predicted trends in lung function than NSRs during PEX. Non-linear trends in serum and sputum iron levels significantly differed between SRs and NSRs. In adults with cystic fibrosis, PEX treatment response phenotypes may be correlated with distinctive trends in serum and sputum iron concentrations.

Lung function and microbiota diversity in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic infection and concomitant airway inflammation is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for people living with cystic fibrosis (CF). Although chronic infection in CF is undeniably polymicrobial, involving a lung microbiota, infection surveillance and control approaches remain underpinned by classical aerobic culture-based microbiology. How to use microbiomics to direct clinical management of CF airway infections remains a crucial challenge. A pivotal step towards leveraging microbiome approaches in CF clinical care is to understand the ecology of the CF lung microbiome and identify ecological patterns of CF microbiota across a wide spectrum of lung disease. Assessing sputum samples from 299 patients attending 13 CF centres in Europe and the USA, we determined whether the emerging relationship of decreasing microbiota diversity with worsening lung function could be considered a generalised pattern of CF lung microbiota and explored its potential as an informative indicator of lung disease state in CF. RESULTS: We tested and found decreasing microbiota diversity with a reduction in lung function to be a significant ecological pattern. Moreover, the loss of diversity was accompanied by an increase in microbiota dominance. Subsequently, we stratified patients into lung disease categories of increasing disease severity to further investigate relationships between microbiota characteristics and lung function, and the factors contributing to microbiota variance. Core taxa group composition became highly conserved within the severe disease category, while the rarer satellite taxa underpinned the high variability observed in the microbiota diversity. Further, the lung microbiota of individual patient were increasingly dominated by recognised CF pathogens as lung function decreased. Conversely, other bacteria, especially obligate anaerobes, increasingly dominated in those with better lung function. Ordination analyses revealed lung function and antibiotics to be main explanators of compositional variance in the microbiota and the core and satellite taxa. Biogeography was found to influence acquisition of the rarer satellite taxa. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that microbiota diversity and dominance, as well as the identity of the dominant bacterial species, in combination with measures of lung function, can be used as informative indicators of disease state in CF. Video Abstract.

Use of ceftolozane-tazobactam in a cystic fibrosis patient with multidrug-resistant pseudomonas infection and renal insufficiency.

We report the successful use of ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) to treat a pulmonary exacerbation in a 35 year old female, post lung transplant, with cystic fibrosis (CF), malnutrition, chronic kidney disease, and multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (MDR PSA). Given the complexity of the clinical profile, we measured drug levels of C/T during treatment of her current exacerbation to determine pharmacokinetics. The patient achieved an estimated ceftolozane peak of 174.1 µg/mL and trough of 9.2 µg/mL. Serum half-life was found to be slightly shorter than previously reported in normal subjects, (2.3 hr. vs. 2.6 hr.) despite the presence of renal insufficiency. Treatment resulted in improvement in serum inflammatory markers and symptoms and was well-tolerated.

Complications of long and intermediate term venous catheters in cystic fibrosis patients: A multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) or peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) are commonly used in the care of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), but they are associated with various complications, including thrombosis, infection, and insertion site symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of PICC and TIVAD use in adults and children with CF over an 8-year period at 3 accredited care centers. Patient attributes included CFTR genotype, comorbidities, lung function, body mass index, use of anticoagulation, and respiratory tract microbiology. Catheter data included line type, caliber, and lumen number. We assessed practice variation by surveying physicians. RESULTS: In a population of 592 CF patients, 851 PICC and 61 TIVADs were placed between January 1, 2003 and July 1, 2011. Larger catheter caliber and increased lumen number were risk factors for PICC complications in adults. Patient-related risk factors for PICC complications included poor nutritional status, infection with Burkholderia cepacia spp., and having ≥5 lines inserted during the study period. The probability of a PICC complication varied across centers (2.6% to 14.1%, p=0.001) and remained significant after adjustment for patient-and line-related risk factors. The median complication-free survival of TIVADs, however, did not vary significantly by center (p=0.85). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first longitudinal, multicenter assessment of complication rates for PICCs and TIVADs in a large cohort of adults and children with CF. Specific patient- and catheter-related characteristics were associated with increased risk of complications. Center effects on complication rates were observed for PICCs.

Infection control practice in cystic fibrosis centers.

In this article, the authors outline some of the major historical events that signaled the need to better understand mechanisms of infection in cystic fibrosis (CF). The authors discuss general principles of infection control, focusing on issues of particular importance to patients who have CF. The authors also describe the major pathogens associated with the CF airway, provide a review of findings from inpatient and outpatient studies of infection control, and provide an outline of future directions for investigation.

Optimising inhaled mannitol for cystic fibrosis in an adult population.

ABSTRACT: There has been remarkable progress in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients over the past 20 years. However, limitations of standard therapies have highlighted the need for a convenient alternative treatment to effectively target the pathophysiologic basis of CF-related disease by improving mucociliary clearance of airway secretions and consequently improve lung function and reduce respiratory exacerbations. Mannitol is an osmotic agent available as a dry powder, dispensed in a convenient disposable inhaler device for the treatment of adult patients with CF. Inhalation of mannitol as a dry powder is thought to change the viscoelastic properties of airway secretions, increase the hydration of the airway surface liquid and contribute to increased mucociliary and cough clearance of retained secretions. In two large phase 3 studies [1, 2], long-term use of inhaled mannitol resulted in a significant and clinically meaningful improvement in lung function relative to control in adult CF subjects and had an acceptable safety profile. Clinical experience with inhaled mannitol confirms that it is safe and effective. A minority of patients are unable to tolerate the medication. However, through training in proper inhaler technique and setting clear expectations regarding therapeutic effects, both the tolerance and adherence necessary for long term efficacy can be positively influenced. EDUCATIONAL AIMS: To discuss the importance of airway clearance treatments in the management of cystic fibrosis.To describe the clinical data that supports the use of mannitol in adult patients with cystic fibrosis.To highlight the role of mannitol tolerance testing in screening for hyperresponsiveness.To provide practical considerations for patient education in use of mannitol inhaler. KEY POINTS: Inhaled mannitol is a safe and effective option in adult patients with cystic fibrosis.Mannitol tolerance testing effectively screens for hyperresponsiveness prior to initiation of therapy.Physiotherapists and respiratory therapists play an integral role in the introduction and maintenance of dry powder inhalation therapy.Patient training and follow-up is important for optimising longer term adherence.

Successful treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pulmonary infection with linezolid in a patient with cystic fibrosis.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant cause of pulmonary infection in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Because these organisms are frequently multidrug-resistant, most patients require intravenous therapy with vancomycin. We report on the first case of successful treatment of a pulmonary exacerbation due to MRSA in a CF patient with a new antimicrobial, linezolid. We demonstrated equivalence of intravenous and oral dosing in this patient, suggesting that oral linezolid may be an excellent alternative to intravenous vancomycin for CF patients infected with MRSA.

Iron supplementation does not worsen respiratory health or alter the sputum microbiome in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Iron supplementation for hypoferremic anemia could potentiate bacterial growth in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung, but clinical trials testing this hypothesis are lacking. METHODS: Twenty-two adults with CF and hypoferremic anemia participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of ferrous sulfate 325mg daily for 6weeks. Iron-related hematologic parameters, anthropometric data, sputum iron, Akron Pulmonary Exacerbation Score (PES), and the sputum microbiome were serially assessed. Fixed-effect models were used to describe how ferrous sulfate affected these variables. RESULTS: Ferrous sulfate increased serum iron by 22.3% and transferrin saturation (TSAT) by 26.8% from baseline (p<0.05) but did not affect hemoglobin, sputum iron, Akron PES, and the sputum microbiome. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose ferrous sulfate improved hypoferremia without correcting anemia after 6weeks. We did not observe significant effects on sputum iron, Akron PES, and the sputum microbiome. Although we did not identify untoward health effects of iron supplementation, a larger blinded randomized controlled trial would be needed to fully demonstrate safety.

Pooled analysis of two large randomised phase III inhaled mannitol studies in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate safety and efficacy of inhaled mannitol treatment in subgroups of a large global CF population. METHODS: Data were pooled from two multicentre, double-blind, randomised, controlled, parallel group phase III studies in which 600 patients inhaled either mannitol (400 mg) or control (mannitol 50 mg) twice a day for 26 weeks. RESULTS: Both the mean absolute change in FEV(1) (mL) and relative change in FEV(1) by % predicted from baseline for mannitol (400 mg) versus control were statistically significant (73.42 mL, 3.56%, both p<0.001). Increases in FEV(1) were observed irrespective of rhDNase use. Significant improvements in FEV1 occurred in adults but not children (6-11) or adolescents (aged 12-17). Pulmonary exacerbation incidence was reduced by 29% (p=0.039) in the mannitol (400 mg) group. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained six-month improvements in lung function and decreased pulmonary exacerbation incidence indicate that inhaled mannitol is an important additional drug in the treatment of CF.