Extensive diversification is a common feature of Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations during respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis

J Cyst Fibros. 2013 Dec;12(6):790-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2013.04.003. Epub 2013 May 1.

Abstract

Background: Populations of the Liverpool Epidemic Strain (LES) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa undergo extensive diversification in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung during long-term chronic infections.

Methods: We analyzed sets of 40 isolates from the sputa of five CF patients, each chronically infected with a different non-LES strain of P. aeruginosa. For each sample (two per patient), diversity was assessed by characterizing nine phenotypic traits.

Results: All P. aeruginosa populations were highly diverse, with the majority of phenotypic variation being due to within-sample diversity.

Conclusions: Maintenance of diverse populations in the CF lung is a common feature of P. aeruginosa infections.

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Population biology; Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cystic Fibrosis / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Phenotype
  • Pseudomonas Infections / microbiology*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / classification*
  • Sputum / microbiology
  • Young Adult