Extract
The major cause of lung damage in cystic fibrosis (CF) is infection with bacterial pathogens, the most prevalent of which is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, chronically infecting ∼60% patients by adolescence/adulthood (www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/news/registry-report-2017). P. aeruginosa may be successfully eradicated, but frequently recurs and establishes biofilms resistant to antibiotics/host defences [1]. Chronic P. aeruginosa is closely linked with pulmonary exacerbation frequency, faster lung function decline and earlier mortality [2]. The huge antibiotic burden imposed upon patients and the resulting bacterial resistance, allergies and toxicities compound the detrimental impact of the infection itself. Chronic P. aeruginosa should be avoided if at all possible; early detection and rapid treatment may be crucial in achieving this.
Abstract
Detection dogs can be trained to distinguish the major cystic fibrosis pathogen, P. aeruginosa, from a range of organisms. High sensitivity/specificity support the harnessing of this skill to detection in clinical airway samples. http://bit.ly/31GHl0Y
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: J.C. Davies reports other from Algipharma AS (advisory board and clinical trial lead), other from Bayer AG (UK lead investigator and advisory board), other from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH&Co. KG (advisory board), other from Galapagos NV (advisory board, clinical trial leadership), other from ImevaX GmbH (advisory and trial design assistance), other from Nivalis Therapeutics, Inc. (advisory board), other from ProQR Therapeutics III B.V. (advisory board and advice on trial design), other from Proteostasis Therapeutics, Inc. (advisory and clinical trial leadership), other from Raptor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (advisory board), other from Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Europe) Limited (advisory board and National Co-ord/Global Co-I), other from Enterprise (advisory board), other from Novartis (advisory board), other from Pulmocide (advisory board), other from Flatley (advisory board), other from Nivalis Therapeutics Inc. (advisory board), grants from CF Trust, other from Teva (educational activities), outside the submitted work.
Conflict of interest: E. Alton has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: A. Simbo has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: R. Murphy has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: I. Seth has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: K. Williams has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: M. Somerville has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: L. Jolly has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: S. Morant has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: C. Guest has nothing to disclose.
- Received May 14, 2019.
- Accepted July 2, 2019.
- Copyright ©ERS 2019
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