The microbiome in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients: the role of shared environment suggests a window of intervention.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene that predispose the airway to infection. Chronic infection by pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa leads to inflammation that gradually degrades lung function, resulting in morbidity and early mortality. In a previous study of CF monozygotic twins, we demonstrate that genetic modifiers significantly affect the establishment of persistent P. aeruginosa colonization in CF. Recognizing that bacteria other than P. aeruginosa contribute to the CF microbiome and associated pathology, we used deep sequencing of sputum from pediatric monozygotic twins and nontwin siblings with CF to characterize pediatric bacterial communities and the role that genetics plays in their evolution.

Findings

We found that the mi

SUBMITTER: Hampton TH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4113139 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature