Microbiological diagnostic procedures for respiratory cystic fibrosis samples in Spain: towards standard of care practices

• Published in: BMC microbiology 2014-12, Vol.14 (1), p.335-335, Article 335
• Main Authors: Caballero, Juan de Dios, del Campo, Rosa, Tato, Marta, Gómez G de la Pedrosa, Elia, Cobo, Marta, López-Causapé, Carla, Gómez-Mampaso, Enrique, Oliver, Antonio, Cantón, Rafael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacteria; Burkholderia cepacia; Burkholderia cepacia - isolation & purification; Burkholderia Infections - microbiology; Cystic fibrosis; Cystic Fibrosis - microbiology; Drug resistance; Epidemiology; Health aspects; Humans; Infectious diseases; Laboratories; Laboratories - standards; Microbiological Techniques - methods; Microbiological Techniques - standards; Microbiology; Questionnaires; Respiratory Tract Infections - microbiology; Selective media; Spain; Specimen Handling - standards; Sputum - microbiology; Standard of care; Standard of Care - standards; Staphylococcal Infections - microbiology; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus - isolation & purification; Studies
• ISSN: 1471-2180; 1471-2180
• DOI: 10.1186/s12866-014-0335-y

The microbiological procedures for cystic fibrosis (CF) samples of 17 participating Spanish centers were examined to verify their compliance with current international and national guidelines and to implement the best standards of care for microbiology practices. A 47-item questionnaire covering different CF microbiology aspects was sent to participant laboratories. Telephone interviews were performed when necessary. Data about samples processing for bacteria, mycobacteria and fungi were collected. Gene sequencing (71%), MALDI-TOF (59%) or both (94%) were available for most laboratories. Susceptibility testing was performed by automated microdilution systems (94%) and manual diffusion methods (59%). However, a low use of selective media for Staphylococcus aureus (59%) and Burkholderia cepacia complex (71%), and of epidemiological typing methods (41%) was reported. Most Spanish laboratories are in agreement with consensus guidelines for the processing of CF respiratory samples, but need to improve in the use of specific selective media and typing methods for epidemiologic studies.