CF pathogens

The airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) harbours a microbiota that is very distinct from healthy individuals. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is documented as one of the most important pulmonary pathogens and the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality in CF patients.

Chronic lung infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes chronic lung infections in patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis. Such infections are associated with major morbidity and once established, are impossible to eradicate and require extensive and ongoing antibiotic therapy. We have developed a clinically relevant novel natural inhalation model of chronic lung infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and we have used this model to investigate bacterial adaptation in the upper and lower respiratory tract and the development of chronic lung infection. As part of these efforts we have shown that the upper airways provide a protected niche in which bacterial adaptation can occur prior to seeding into the lungs and establishment of chronic (and treatment-resistant) infection (Nature Communications. 2014 Sep 2;5:4780). We are now using this model to study evolution, adaptation and diversification of P. aeruginosa during chronic lung infection (Nat Commun. 2018 Jul 6;9(1):2635) and as a clinically relevant system in which to test novel therapeutics such as bacteriophages (Thorax. 2017 Jul;72(7):666-667).