Investigation of the Prevalence of Microbial Agents and Antibacterial Response in Pediatric with Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

Background: No definitive cure for cystic fibrosis (CF) has been established to date. The prolonged use of antibiotics in managing CF has contributed to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Investigating bacterial profiles in CF is, therefore, critical for advancing treatment strategies. Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively identify the common microbial pathogens present in pediatric patients diagnosed with CF and to evaluate their patterns of resistance and susceptibility to various antibacterial agents. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the patterns of microbial sensitivity and antibiotic resistance in 99 children with CF treated at Ali Asghar Hospital in Zahedan between 2023 and 2024. Data were retrospectively collected from available medical records, using a simple and convenient sampling method. The study focused on analyzing microbial pathogens isolated from sputum samples and assessing their antibiotic resistance profiles. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test in SPSS version 26. Results: The study revealed that Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent microbial agent, identified in 31 children (31.3%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, detected in 29 children (29.3%), and Acinetobacter, found in 6 children (6.1%). The distribution of microbial agents was not significantly associated with the age or sex of the children. Furthermore, S. aureus exhibited the highest sensitivity to vancomycin (74.2%) and the highest resistance to erythromycin (90.3%). Conclusions: The study concluded that S. aureus is the most prevalent microbial agent in children with CF, and the distribution of microbial agents is independent of age and sex. Given the potential for resistant strains of P. aeruginosa, it is recommended that children with CF be admitted to separate wards to minimize the risk of cross-infection and improve clinical outcomes.