BACKGROUND: Collection of respiratory cultures for airway microbiology surveillance is an essential component of routine clinical care in cystic fibrosis (CF). The COVID-19 global pandemic has necessitated increased use of telehealth, but one limitation of telehealth is the inability to collect respiratory specimens. We initiated a protocol for at-home collection of oropharyngeal (OP) swabs from children with CF. METHODS: Home respiratory specimen collection was offered during telehealth encounters. Home OP swab kits were sent to participating families via mail with instructions for collection and return. Specimens were returned by overnight shipping or dropped off at a hospital lab for processing and culture. We evaluated demographic data and compared culture results from the home-collected specimen to the most recent specimen collected in clinic. We also tracked the frequency of newly identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa. RESULTS: Home OP swab kits were sent to families of 33 children with CF (range 1.5-19 yrs). OP swab kits were successfully returned from 19 children (range 1.5-19 yrs). One or more CF pathogens grew from 79% of the specimens. For 4 individuals, the home collected specimen demonstrated new growth of P. aeruginosa. CONCLUSIONS: Home collection of OP swabs for bacterial culture is feasible in children with CF across a range of ages. Most home-collected specimens demonstrated growth of one or more CF pathogens and results were similar to recent in-clinic specimens, suggesting acceptable sample collection technique. Anti-pseudomonal therapy was initiated for 4 children based on growth of P. aeruginosa from the home respiratory specimen. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: Collection of respiratory cultures for airway microbiology surveillance is an essential component of routine clinical care in cystic fibrosis (CF). The COVID-19 global pandemic has necessitated increased use of telehealth, but one limitation of telehealth is the inability to collect respiratory specimens. We initiated a protocol for at-home collection of oropharyngeal (OP) swabs from children with CF. METHODS: Home respiratory specimen collection was offered during telehealth encounters. Home OP swab kits were sent to participating families via mail with instructions for collection and return. Specimens were returned by overnight shipping or dropped off at a hospital lab for processing and culture. We evaluated demographic data and compared culture results from the home-collected specimen to the most recent specimen collected in clinic. We also tracked the frequency of newly identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa. RESULTS: Home OP swab kits were sent to families of 33 children with CF (range 1.5-19 yrs). OP swab kits were successfully returned from 19 children (range 1.5-19 yrs). One or more CF pathogens grew from 79% of the specimens. For 4 individuals, the home collected specimen demonstrated new growth of P. aeruginosa. CONCLUSIONS: Home collection of OP swabs for bacterial culture is feasible in children with CF across a range of ages. Most home-collected specimens demonstrated growth of one or more CF pathogens and results were similar to recent in-clinic specimens, suggesting acceptable sample collection technique. Anti-pseudomonal therapy was initiated for 4 children based on growth of P. aeruginosa from the home respiratory specimen. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Authors: Dana Albon; Lacrecia Thomas; Lindsay Hoberg; Sophia Stamper; Lindsay Somerville; Prigi Varghese; Ella Balasa; Matthew Roman; Maria T Britto; Melanie Miner; Emily Gehring; Clifford Gammon; Raouf S Amin; Michael Seid; Mike Powers Journal: BMJ Open Qual Date: 2022-05
Authors: Eusebi Chiner-Vives; Rosa Cordovilla-Pérez; David de la Rosa-Carrillo; Marta García-Clemente; José Luis Izquierdo-Alonso; Remedios Otero-Candelera; Luis Pérez-de Llano; Jacobo Sellares-Torres; José Ignacio de Granda-Orive Journal: Arch Bronconeumol Date: 2022-04-15 Impact factor: 6.333