Molecular epidemiology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in a cystic fibrosis outpatient clinic

Chronic respiratory infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant de terminant in the prognosis of cystic fibrosis patients. Cross-infection bet ween cystic fibrosis patients and the prevalence of P. aeruginosa among the m were investigated by microbiological surveillance and RAPD typing of the isolates. A total of 748 samples was cultured, including specimens from the respiratory tract (sputum or throat swabs) and hands of patients and medic al staff, resulting in the collection of 86 isolates of P. aeruginosa from 65 samples. prevalence of P. aeruginosa was 39.3% in respiratory samples, 0 .2% on patients' hands and none in the medical staff's hand samples, RAPD t yping characterised 51 genotypes and clonal persistence was observed in the majority of patients, These results suggest that cross-infection is not co mmon in the outpatient clinic studied and a common source of acquisition is unlikely.