Multi-drug resistant infection spreading globally among cystic fibrosis patients.

[2greys]

A multi-drug resistant infection that can cause life-threatening illness in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and can spread from patient to patient has spread globally and is becoming increasingly virulent, according to new research published today in the journal Science.

The study, led by the University of Cambridge and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, also suggests that conventional cleaning will not be sufficient to eliminate the pathogen, which can be transmitted through contaminated surfaces or in the air.

Mycobacterium abscessus, a species of multidrug resistant mycobacteria, has recently emerged as a significant global threat to individuals with cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases. It can cause a severe pneumonia leading to accelerated inflammatory damage to the lungs, and may prevent safe lung transplantation. It is also extremely difficult to treat – fewer than one in three cases is treated successfully.

It was previously thought that patients acquired the infection from the environment and that transmission between patients never occurred. The research team had previously studied one specialist CF centre in the UK and identified genetic and epidemiological evidence suggesting person-to-person transmission of M. abscessus but it was unclear whether this was a one off incident.

cam.ac.uk/research/news/mul...

[Ergendl]

Thanks for this post. It's a clear warning for us lungies to keep up safe practices even as we start to move out of lockdown restrictions.

[zube-UK]

Thanks 2g, no one seems to realise how many infections are spread by airborne transmission, they can’t see it so don’t think about it but for us with impaired lungs it is serious. The times I have been packed into a stuffy hospital waiting room, shoulder to shoulder next to other patients, no windows, then getting home to start a high temp, coughing for the next couple of months. Bus journeys too, a bus is an enclosed capsule of exhaled air. There is an article written about airborne transmission in the Lancet 15th April.

[Dedalus]

Thanks for this - not good news

[Karenanne61]

Thanks for the info. Scary but reminds us how careful we must always be.

[Hidden]

This is a relatively old development, but action has been implemented at cf centres: the advice is that patients with any NTM can only attend certain clinics, and can only be in the last wave of patients attending (the last slot), so that rooms can be cleaned properly. Any patient with m.abcessus has to remain in their room for the entirety of any admission, only leaving to leave the hospital for fresh air.

[Alberta56]

Oh dear. I know a lady with teenage twins. both with MS