[Prevention and control of respiratory tract infections in the network of Italian Centers for Cystic Fibrosis]. / Prevenzione e controllo delle infezioni da patogeni respiratori nei centri italiani per la cura della fibrosi cistica: risultati di un'indagine.

ABSTRACT

Infections caused by respiratory pathogens such as Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are associated with an increased morbidity and mortality in people affected by cystic fibrosis, the most common lethal genetic disease in Caucasian populations. Preventing the acquisition of these pathogens is paramount for these patients. The goal of this survey was to assess the distribution and the prevalence of the measures adopted for the prevention and control of infections caused by respiratory pathogens in the 28 italian centres for cystic fibrosis. 21 questionnaires were returned and some important differences can be observed in the adoption of segregation measures. Although results may be influenced by other factors, specific segregation policies appear to be more directly associated than other measures (e.g., intensive disinfection; behavioural rules to minimise patient' contacts) with lower prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR 0.36 CI95% 0.31-0.42), of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR 0.30 CI95% 0.22-0.40), and of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (OR 0.67 CI95% 0.48-0.94).