How does B. cepacia impact the health of someone with CF?
There is variation on how B. cepacia infection affects someone with CF. Researchers do not yet know why some people with CF are more likely to get B. cepacia than others. In many people, this infection may not worsen lung disease. In up to one-third of people infected with B. cepacia, the rate of lung decline appears to be slightly faster. However, for a smaller number of people, B. cepacia can cause rapid decline in lung function. This leads to more severe lung disease and maybe death. Among the different species of B. cepacia, some may be more harmful than others. The CF Foundation is working with researchers to learn more about B. cepacia and to identify new treatments.
