Longitudinal changes and regional variation of incident infection rates at cystic fibrosis centers, United States 2010-2016

ABSTRACT Background Multiple factors affect incident infection rates (IIR) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at CF care centers. We assessed changes in IIR across CF centers temporally associated with the 2013 Infection/Prevention & Control guidelines controlling for center-specific factors. Methods Using the CF Foundation Patient Registry we defined and measured changes in IIR between 2010-2012 and 2014-2016. Data were compared to non-CF rates of MRSA and resistant PA in geographically similar regions. Characteristics of each CF center (n centers: Adult 54 in 2010 to 82 in 2016. Pediatric ∼106) and their respective population were evaluated for associations with IIR and with changes in IIR between the study periods. Results Across the years 35613 patients were included. Incident-infection rates for PA (mean 19.2±0.04% Pediatric, 21.2±0.07% Adult centers) were higher than for MRSA (mean 9.4±0.03% Pediatric, 7.8±0.03% Adult). The IIR decreased for MRSA (-1.54±0.54%, p Conclusion Comparisons of IIR across U.S. CF centers should consider location, ethnic background and socio-economic variables of a center's population.