Rapidly progressive lung disease in a patient with cystic fibrosis on long-term azithromycin: Possible role of mycoplasma infection

Abstract

Macrolides is effective therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We describe a girl with CF given long-term azithromycin who died of rapidly progressive lung disease. She was found to have rising titers of mycoplasma serology, suggesting a possible causative role of a resistant mycoplasma infection. Mycoplasma infection should be considered in CF patients who are deteriorating, even if they are being treated with macrolides, to which these organisms are usually susceptible. © 2005 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.