Eradication therapy for newly isolated P. aeruginosa in children with bronchiectasis

If P. aeruginosa is newly isolated in an upper-airway specimen (eg cough swab) of a child with bronchiectasis, it is best practice to obtain a lower airway specimen (bronchoalveolar lavage or sputum). If P. aeruginosa is confirmed, expert consensus is that eradication therapy should be attempted by a respiratory physician, regardless of symptomsChang, 2023. This practice is based on experience with children who have cystic fibrosisChang, 2021; randomised controlled trials in children with bronchiectasis are lacking. Examples of eradication regimens are included in the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand clinical documentsChang, 2023Chang, 2021.