Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Background: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease characterized by progressive epithelial secretory gland dysfunction associated with repeated respiratory infections. Although bacteria have historically been considered to play a major role in cystic fibrosis (CF) airway damage, a strong impact of respiratory viral infections is also now recognized. Emerging evidence confirms that respiratory viruses are associated with exacerbation and facilitation of bacterial colonization in CF patients. Methods: This is a cross sectional observational study recruiting 60 patients diagnosed as CF. Following in CF clinic, Children{u2019}s Hospital, Cairo University, throughout a period of 7 months. Their age ranged from 6 months to 13 years. Children had nasal swabs and sputum samples obtained during pulmonary exacerbations. Multiplex PCR technique was used to detect respiratory viruses from nasal swabs. Results: We detected viruses in 48 patients during exacerbation (80%), the most common virus was Rhinovirus 43.4% present in all seasons, followed by bocavirus 20%, adenovirus 13.3%, enterovirus 10%, HMPV 6.7%. Co infection with double viruses was found in 10 patients. While bacteria present in 56.7% of patients and the most common organism found was pseudomonas spp in 20% of patients then staph aeurus, MRSA, Klebsiella and Hemophilus influenza. Positive CRP was detected in 53.3% of patients.There was significant correlation between positive bacterial culture and and certain viruses as influenza A virus, Enterovirus, HMPV with P value ( {u02C2}0.01, 0.002, 0.002 respectively).There was significant relation between both influenza A virus and Enterovirus with the need for oxygen with p value ( 0.004, 0.02 respectively).There was no significant relation between viruses and the need for ICU admission .There was significant correlation between HMPV and seasonal variation with (p value 0.001)

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