116 Comparison of patient age at first colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa between two neighboring CF centers in Central European Region (Italy/Slovenia)

Objectives: Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection is associated with more rapid decline in lung function and shortened survival in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Early detection and eradication are of utmost importance in CF patient care. This retrospective study aimed to compare data from two neighboring CF centers in the central European region, each serving about 2 million people, both without CF newborn screening program. Methods: All first positive isolates in patients born from June 2004 through December 2010 from 2 neighboring CF centers (LJ, Ljubljana, Slovenia; TS, Trieste, Italy) were identified. The median age of patients at first isolation, PA status at 6 months after treatment and eradication treatment regiments were compared. Results: There were 26 (LJ-19, TS-7) newly diagnosed children in the observed period, median age at diagnosis was 2.1 months (range 0−16). Fifteen children with first positive isolate were identified (8-LJ, 6-TS; one excluded for lack of data). Median age at first PA detection was 20 months (range 9−57); LJ 17 months, range (9−34), TS 21 months, range (9−57). All received the same treatment protocol: oral ciprofloxacin for 3 weeks and inhaled tobramycine 4 weeks. At 6 months after treatment, 3 out 14 children were positive (LJ 2, TS 1). Conclusions: Both centers had comparable age at first PA isolation, eradication success and followed an eradication protocol which has been successfully used in many centers for several years. Patients form different states in the same European region received comparable care.