Persistent oseltamivir-resistant pandemic influenza A/H1N1 infection in an adult with cystic fibrosis

H1N1 Influenza Virus in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis: A Literature Review Examining Both Disease Entities and Their Association in Light of the 2009 Pandemic

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that is challenging the health sector and negatively impacting the global economy takes us back to the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic that brought the world to a standstill. In 2009, H1N1 became a significant health concern for several months. It mainly affected people under the age of 65 hyears who had no prior immunity, including children. Among the high-risk populations were pregnant patients and those with chronic cardiac, pulmonary, or respiratory diseases. These patients were at risk of developing severe pneumonia and respiratory complications. Cystic fibrosis (CF) represents a form of severe chronic lung disease in young adults and is the major fatal hereditary disorder of Caucasians in the United States. An online search of PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted to find relevant literature that explicitly examines patients with CF and H1N1.

Work environment risks for health care workers with cystic fibrosis

In Australia and New Zealand, >50% of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) are adults and many of these people are pursuing vocational training and undertaking paid employment. More than 6% of adults with CF are working in health care. There is limited guidance in literature to support health care workers with CF (HCWcf) in training and in employment to support safe practice and to provide protection for themselves and their patients from the acquisition of health care associated infection. A multidisciplinary team of CF and Infectious Disease Clinicians, Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners, HCWcf, academic experts in medical ethics and representatives from universities, appraised the available evidence on the risk posed to and by HCWcf. Specific recommendations were made for HCWcf, CF health care teams, hospitals and universities to support the safe practice and appropriate support for HCWcf.

The diagnosis and management of respiratory viral infections in cystic fibrosis

INTRODUCTION

Respiratory viruses, such as those that cause influenza and the common cold, are a regular feature of life for the entire human population. Among people with CF, these viruses are associated with prolonged respiratory illness and show a clear association with pulmonary exacerbations which in turn are associated with lung function decline and risk of death. Human rhinovirus is the most commonly encountered respiratory viral pathogen in CF although adenovirus, bocavirus, coronavirus, influenza, parainfluenza, metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus are all also responsible for infections in this population. Areas covered: This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical impact and therapeutic options for respiratory virus infection in both children and adults with CF. Expert commentary: The management of CF to date has largely focused on airway clearance strategies, nutritional support and aggressive antibacterial therapy. We highlight the significant role that respiratory viruses play in CF lung disease and argue that these pathogens represent an under-exploited target in the battle to control patients' symptoms and disease progression.

Chronic rhinovirus infection in an adult with cystic fibrosis

Rhinovirus is a common cause of exacerbations of cystic fibrosis (CF) and is usually considered a self-limiting infection. We report a case of chronic infection with rhinovirus A type 33 in a 43-year-old male with CF which has persisted for over 2 years.