title: Prevalence of pathogens in cystic fibrosis patients in Bahia, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recurrent respiratory infections account for most of the morbidity and mortality of cystic fibrosis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The objective was to determine the prevalence of pathogens isolated from lower respiratory tract secretions in cystic fibrosis patients. In this descriptive observational study, data from 69 patients was collected from medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The microorganisms that were identified included 36.2 P. aeruginosa, 28.9% S. Aureus, 4.3% K. pneumoniae, 1.5% H. influenzae, 1.5% E. coli, 1.5% S. maltoophilia, and in 27.5% the flora was normal. The prevalence of P. aeruginosa was 83% in patients under two years of age, demonstrating early colonization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were the most prevalent pathogens; there was also early infection/colonization by P. aeruginosa. This information will contribute to improved therapeutic measures for patients of the Bahia Cystic Fibrosis Reference Center.
authors.affiliation: Octávio Mangabeira Hospital, Centre of Cystic Fibrosis Reference of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil. angelicasantana@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Maria Angélica
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: do Socorro Fontoura
authors.forename: Rosana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Danyella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.forename: Antônio Carlos M
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lemos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000150:complications; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000382:microbiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification