Stella Neri

A 1-m distance is not safe for children with cystic fibrosis at risk for cross-infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Although maintaining a distance of 1 m between persons with cystic fibrosis (CF) is a universal recommendation to prevent respiratory cross-infections such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, evidence supporting this preventive measure is scarce. Examining 336 samples from 42 patients with CF collected experimentally from sterile surfaces after speaking and coughing, we found that transmission of P aeruginosa beyond 1 m is possible during both talking and coughing, although the probability is low (1.7%).

Incidence of cystic fibrosis in the Albanian population

BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-threatening genetic disease in the Western world. Its incidence varies between 1:4,000 and 1:2,500 among Europeans. No data are available on the incidence of CF among Albanians, mainly due to difficulties of the local health system. GOALS To estimate the incidence of CF and the prevalence of healthy carrier status among Albanian ethnic people; to evaluate the incidence of hypertrypsinaemia at birth among Albanian newborns. METHODS We used the database of the newborn screening of Tuscany, Italy for the period 1991-2005. Children born to both Albanian parents in Tuscany were identified and incidences were calculated. RESULTS The incidence of CF among Albanians (1/555, 99% CI: 1/2,980-1/306) was significantly higher than the rest of the Tuscan population (1/4,101, 99% CI: 1/5,564-1/3,248). The prevalence of CF carrier status among Albanians living in Tuscany is estimated to be 1/12 (99%CI 1/27-1/9) while in the rest of the Tuscan population it is 1/32 (99%CI 1/37-1/28). The incidence of hypertrypsinaemia at birth among Albanian newborns (1/55 99%CI: 1/74-1/44) was significantly higher than in the rest of the population (1/84, 99%CI 1/88-1/82). CONCLUSION The incidence of CF among Albanians is considerably higher than expected. Albanian people have a risk to give birth to children with CF higher than the rest of Europeans. The implementation of a newborn screening program in Albania, together with a CF follow up program is highly advisable.