Antibiotic therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other gram-negative pathogens in cystic fibrosis

In cystic fibrosis patients, bronchial infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is frequent, occurring often early in life. It becomes chronic because of a particular relationship between bacteria and host. Intensive antibiotic treatment often permits a transient eradication. When infection becomes chronic, antibiotics must be prescribed in a way to afford resistance. Efficacy of nebulized antibiotics is now recognized. Problems persist. Because of the difficulty to eradicate PA, new strategies may consist in diminishing the pathogenicity of PA, by inhibiting adhesion and virulence factors' production. (C) 2003 Elsevier SAS. Tons droits reserves.