RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Clonal strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in paediatric and adult cystic fibrosis units JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 101 OP 106 DO 10.1183/09031936.04.00122903 VO 24 IS 1 A1 M.R. O'Carroll A1 M.W. Syrmis A1 C.E. Wainwright A1 R.M. Greer A1 P. Mitchell A1 C. Coulter A1 T.P. Sloots A1 M.D. Nissen A1 S.C. Bell YR 2004 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/24/1/101.abstract AB Despite recent reports of clonal strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis (CF) units, the need for routine microbiological surveillance remains contentious. Sputum was collected prospectively from productive patients attending the regional paediatric and adult CF units in Brisbane, Australia. All P. aeruginosa isolates were typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Spirometry, anthropometrics, hospitalisations and antibiotic sensitivity data were recorded. The first 100 sputum samples (first 50 patients at each clinic) harboured 163 isolates of P. aeruginosa. A total of 39 patients shared a common strain (pulsotype 2), 20 patients shared a strain with at least one other patient and 41 patients harboured unique strains. Eight patients shared a strain identical to a previously reported Australian transmissible strain (pulsotype 1). Compared with the unique strain group, patients harbouring pulsotype 2 were younger and had poorer lung function. Treatment requirements were similar in these two groups, as were the rates of multiresistance. In conclusion, 59% of patients harboured a clonal strain, supporting the need for routine microbiological surveillance. In contrast to previously described clonal strains, the dominant pulsotype was indistinguishable from nonclonal strains with respect to both colonial morphology and multiresistance. The clinical significance of clonal strains remains uncertain and requires longitudinal study. This study was supported by the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation Seeding grant R912-007, which was sponsored by the Cressbrook Committee.