According to a story from EurekAlert!, a recent study from the Children’s National Health System has found that some cystic fibrosis patients are not getting sufficient doses of antibiotics in order to protect themselves from lung infections, which is one of the most prevalent problems for people with this disorder. Failure to fight off these infections means that the disease progresses more quickly and lung function declines.
About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a type of genetic disorder which can have impacts throughout the body, but it is most characterized by the build up of abnormally thick, sticky mucus in the lungs. This mucus becomes a fertile breeding ground and habitat for potentially infectious bacteria. Many patients must take antibiotics for much of their lives. This disorder is caused by mutations of the CFTR gene. Symptoms of cystic fibrosis include progressive decline in lung function, lung and sinus infections, coughing up mucus, fatty stool, poor growth, infertility in males, clubbed digits, and digestive problems. Treatment includes antibiotics and medications or procedures intended to maintain lung function. Lung transplant is an option when lung function declines severely. Life expectancy ranges into the 40s and 50s with good care. To learn more about cystic fibrosis, click here.
About The Study
The measurement of antibiotics doses was based on the concentration of these drugs in a patient’s bloodstream. The researchers also found that typical dosing regimens are not an accurate way to determine if a patient is receiving a sufficient dose of antibiotics. Instead, effective treatment for cystic fibrosis patients has to be more personalized; patients respond to antibiotics to varying degrees, not to mention other factors such as the infectious agent involved.
Serious infections cause episodes of worsened symptoms called pulmonary exacerbations. Part of the antibiotic cocktail includes Beta-lactam. This type of antibiotic has a time dependent mechanism of action; this means that this drug must exceed a certain concentration in the blood in order to maximize its effectiveness. Unfortunately, concentrations of this drug are rarely monitored sufficiently to ensure that they are high enough for the necessary time period.
To learn more about this research, check out the original study here.
