Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
Randomised trial; participants randomised to continue or stop inhaled antibiotic. Parallel group. Usual treatment control. No blinding. Duration 2 years.
Participants
49 participants with CF, FEV1 >40% predicted ('mild to moderately affected'). Male 24, female 25. Age 7 years or older, mean age about 13 years.
Interventions
Inhaled cephaloridine, 500 mg twice or 3-times daily or no inhaled antibiotic.
Outcome measures
FEV1 and FVC, exacerbation of respiratory infection, nutrition, survival, sputum culture, adverse effects.
Main results
There were no significant differences between the two groups in incidence of respiratory tract infections or hospital admissions, clinical scores, radiologic scores, or rate of change of pulmonary function.
Authors' conclusions
Although continuous antistaphylococcal antibiotic prophylaxis may be successful in suppressing colonization with S. aureus, it may also contribute to the high rates of carriage of Ps. aeruginosa and Ps. cepacia observed in patients with cystic fibrosis.