What is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa?
About 60% of people with cystic fibrosis have a chronic respiratory infection caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa that settles into the thick mucus trapped in the airways. Once it sets up house in the respiratory tract, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is hard to get rid of. Respiratory failure caused by the infection is often the ultimate cause of death in many people with CF.
How is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Treated?
Years ago, chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in people with CF was treated rather unsuccessfully with oral antibiotics or inhaled injectable formulations of antibiotics. In the late 1990s an inhaled form of the antibiotic tobramycin, or TOBI®, was developed specifically for the treatment of chronic respiratory Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. TOBI® is now the standard treatment for this infection, and is a commonly prescribed medication in people with cystic fibrosis.
Source:
Smith, A.L. “Inhaled Atibiotic Therapy: What Drug? What Dose? What Regimen? What Formulation?.” Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 2002 1: S189–S193. 22 June 2008
