<i>Pseudomonas</i> superinfection drives Pf phage transmission within airway infections in patients with cystic fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Pf bacteriophages, lysogenic viruses that infect Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa), are implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic Pa infections; phage-infected (Pf+) strains are known to predominate in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) who are older and have more severe disease. However, the transmission patterns of Pf underlying the progressive dominance of Pf+ strains are unclear. In particular, it is unknown whether phage transmission commonly occurs horizontally between bacteria within the airway via viral particles or if Pf+ bacteria are mostly acquired via new Pseudomonas infections. Here, we have studied Pa genomic sequences from 3 patient cohorts totaling 663 clinical isolates from 105 pwCF. We identify Pf+ isolates and analyze transmission patterns of Pf wit

SUBMITTER: Pourtois JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11761399 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature