M027: CHANGES IN SPUTUM MYCOBACTERIOLOGY OF PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC
FIBROSIS WHO USE PULMOZYME REGULARLY
K.Mavunda, R.M.McKey, M.Barrueco, P.Wade, C.Gregory, A.
Alemelu. (Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, University
of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL USA).
The prevalence of mycobacterial colonization of air-ways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), living in South Florida, has previously been reported as being .21.3%. Mycobactrium chelonae (Mc) was reported most frequently, followed by Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI). This research was done before Pulmozyme became available.
Patients with CF that use Pulmozyme regularly have changed sputum characteristics. To test our hypothesis that the prevalence of mycobacterial colonization/ infection of CF patients that have been on Pulmozyme for more than 6 months is lower than the above report, we obtained sputa for mycobacterial cultures from 57 patients, ages 4-43 years, who use Pulmozyme at least once daily. The same research microbiology laboratory was used for both studies.
Sputa of 2 patients were positive for Mc. Three patients had MAI. The prevalence is 8.7%. Both patients with Mc had previously required treatment. Three patients were not compliant with sputum mobilisation techniques.
Patients with CF that use Pulmozyme regularly have a lower prevalence of mycobacterial colonization. Sputum mobilisation techniques following Pulmozyme aerosols may further decrease this prevalence. Long-term studies designed to differentiate mycobacterial colonization from infection should not only control for geographic location but also for Pulmozyme use.