Mutations in this gene lead to inactivity of the CFTR protein and/or reduced expression of the protein at the cytoplasmic membrane [2]. Improper functioning of the CFTR results in the production of viscous mucus and in a defective innate immunity [2, 3]. The reduced functionality of the mucociliary system and the ongoing inflammation result in an increased sensitivity of the CF airways

to infection by bacterial pathogens, of which Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the most important. Chronic lung infection with P. aeruginosa is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among the CF patients [4]. It is now well-established that early aggressive antibiotic treatment of new infection with P. aeruginosa is successful in postponing chronic infection. Hence, it is important to detect new Screening Library nmr infection with P. aeruginosa as early as possible so that eradication treatment can be started as soon as possible [5–7]. Currently, Selleck BGB324 routine detection and identification of P. aeruginosa in respiratory samples is done by conventional methods such as culture and biochemical characteristics. Misidentification can occur due to the variable phenotypic characteristics of this species [8]. Moreover, the sensitivity of culture might be limited, especially when compared selleck chemicals llc to DNA amplification based techniques. Thus far, however,

only one group has compared both approaches in a long term study for early detection of P. aeruginosa oxyclozanide from CF patients [9]. In this national study, we followed CF patients during periods between 1 to 15 months and we compared the sensitivity of conventional culture

techniques with qPCR for the detection of P. aeruginosa in the respiratory samples from CF patients, not chronically infected by P. aeruginosa. Methods Patients and sampling From January 2008 until May 2009, sputum, nasopharyngeal or throat swab samples were routinely collected from 397 CF patients attending all but one of Belgian CF-centres, i.e. Ghent University Hospital (UZG, Ghent), Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZB, Brussels), St Luc University Hospital (UCL, Brussels), Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital and Erasme University Hospital (ULB, Brussels), Antwerp University Hospital (UZA, Antwerp), CF Center Liege (CHC – CHR, Liege). Patients were seen every three months and sputum or nasopharyngeal aspirate/throat swab samples were cultured at every visit. Nasopharyngeal aspirates/throat swab samples were collected in case the patients could not expectorate. All 397 included patients, (median age: 14 years, range: 1-53 years), were considered as P. aeruginosa free and not chronically infected according to the criteria used by the different Belgian CF centers, i.e., the European Consensus criteria [10] or those defined by Lee et al. [11].