Rapid diversification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis lung-like conditions.

ABSTRACT: Chronic infection of the cystic fibrosis (CF) airway by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for adult CF patients. Prolonged infections are accompanied by adaptation of P. aeruginosa to the unique conditions of the CF lung environment, as well as marked diversification of the pathogen into phenotypically and genetically distinct strains that can coexist for years within a patient. Little is known, however, about the causes of this diversification and its impact on patient health. Here, we show experimentally that, consistent with ecological theory of diversification, the nutritional conditions of the CF airway can cause rapid and extensive diversification of P. aeruginosa Mucin, the substance responsible for

SUBMITTER: Schick A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6196507 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature