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Cystic fibrosis with Burkholderia cepacia — SCE Respiratory MCQ

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HardRespiratory InfectionsCystic fibrosis with Burkholderia cepaciaSCE Respiratory

A patient with cystic fibrosis has two cultures positive for Burkholderia cepacia complex and rapid FEV1 decline. What immediate service-level response is required in addition to tailored antimicrobial assessment?

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Correct answer: EReference-laboratory confirmation and strict segregation from other CF patients

Explanation lettering: C = shown as A · D = shown as B · E = shown as C · A = shown as D · B = shown as E

B is correct. B. cepacia complex has major transmission and prognostic implications; reference-laboratory confirmation and strict segregation from other people with CF are essential while susceptibility-guided treatment and clinical trajectory are reviewed. It is not managed as routine shared-space Pseudomonas. Airway clearance remains important with infection-control precautions. Transplant implications vary by species and centre, and macrolide monotherapy neither confirms nor reliably treats the organism.

Reference: Cystic Fibrosis Trust Burkholderia cepacia complex infection-control guidance: https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-12/Burkholderia%20cepacia.pdf