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B. cepacia in CF — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

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ModerateInfection Prevention & ControlB. cepacia in CFSCE Infectious Diseases

A 35-year-old man with known cystic fibrosis is admitted with an infective exacerbation. Sputum culture grows Burkholderia cepacia complex. This finding has significant implications beyond antibiotic selection. What is the infection control concern?

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Correct answer: E — B. cepacia complex-positive CF patients must be segregated from other CF patients — cross-infection causes accelerated lung function decline ('cepacia syndrome')

Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) causes devastating pulmonary infection in CF, with some genomovars (particularly B. cenocepacia) associated with rapid decline and 'cepacia syndrome' (fulminant necrotising pneumonia with bacteraemia). BCC is transmissible between CF patients. Strict segregation policies require BCC-positive patients to attend separate clinic sessions, be isolated in hospital, and avoid social contact with other CF patients. BCC is intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics; treatment typically requires combination therapy (e.g. Ceftazidime plus Meropenem plus Co-trimoxazole).

Reference: CF Trust 2024 – Infection control; BTS 2019 – CF lung infections