Quantitative analysis of the human airway microbial ecology reveals a pervasive signature for cystic fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding the CF transmembrane conductance regulator. Disruption of electrolyte homeostasis at mucosal surfaces leads to severe lung, pancreatic, intestinal, hepatic, and reproductive abnormalities. Loss of lung function as a result of chronic lung disease is the primary cause of death from CF. Using high-throughput sequencing to survey microbes in the sputum of 16 CF patients and 9 control individuals, we identified diverse microbial communities in the healthy samples, contravening conventional wisdom that healthy airways are not significantly colonized. Comparing these communities with those from the CF patients revealed significant differences in microbial ecology, including differential representation

SUBMITTER: Blainey PC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3898170 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature