Bordetella species in children with cystic fibrosis: what do we know? The role in acute exacerbations and chronic course

Abstract

Despite vaccination, pertussis is still endemic in the Netherlands. A literature search was performed to verify what is known about the role of Bordetella species in children with cystic fibrosis, with regard to the incidence of Bordetella infections, the involvement in pulmonary exacerbations and the influence on chronic course. Little is known about the frequency of Bordetella infections and the involvement of Bordetella species both in relation to the chronic course of cystic fibrosis and to pulmonary exacerbations. Since it is difficult to detect Bordetella species in cultures and few sputum cultures investigated have been obtained during an exacerbation, it is likely that the frequency of Bordetella species in CF patients is underestimated. Identification of Bordetella species in these patients may have serious consequences for the treatment of exacerbations in CF. Future research investigating the role of Bordetella species in cystic fibrosis should use specific techniques to detect Bordetella in cultures.