Pseudomonas carrier rates of patients with cystic fibrosis and of members of their families

Abstract
The majority (86.6%) of cystic fibrosis [CF] patients were carriers of P. aeruginosa. None carried P. aeruginosa in their nares. None of the non-CF family members of the CF patients were carriers of P. aeruginosa. Only 4 of 468 cultures from skin, throat and nares of the family members were positive. Isolations of P. aeruginosa from the same CF patients were often of the same pyocin type. No specific pyocin type of P. aeruginosa was predominant in CF patients. Isolations of P. aeruginosa from siblings with CF may or may not be of the same pyocin type as that of the family proband. Colonization of a CF patient by P. aeruginosa is not a threat to the non-CF members of the family.