Cost-effective airway cultures in the cystic fibrosis patient

Abstract Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have a high incidence of multidrug-resistant infections, rendering CF patients a treatment challenge. Objective To evaluate culture protocols for CF patients and develop a cost-effective culture regimen that identifies clinically relevant pathogens. Study design Retrospective review. Methods At the time of endoscopic sinus surgery, CF patients underwent both sinus and bronchial lavage cultures. Medical records from 2002 to 2006 were reviewed. Results Twenty-four cases were identified; 12 had complete sets of cultures. Seven of 12 had sinus aerobic bacteria that were also present in bronchial culture. Anaerobic cultures from both sites were all negative (42%) or nondiagnostic (58%). Thirty-three percent of sinus fungal cultures and 91.6% of bronchial fungal cultures were positive. Sinus acid fast bacillus cultures were all negative. Conclusion CF culture protocols may be streamlined by eliminating all anaerobic cultures, as well as sinus acid fast bacillus and fungal cultures for a 52% reduction in cost.