The Involvement of the Low-Oxygen-Activated Locus of Burkholderia Cenocepacia in Adaptation During Cystic Fibrosis Infection

Authors

Louise Cullen, Technological University DublinFollow
Andrew O'Connor, Technological University DublinFollow
Sarah McCormack, University College Dublin, Ireland
Rebecca A. Owens, National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Giles S. Holt, University of Northumbria at Newcastle
Cassandra Collins, Technological University DublinFollow
Máire Callaghan, Institute of Technology TallaghtFollow
Sean Doyle, National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Darren Smith, University of Northumbria at Newcastle
Kirsten Schaffer, St. Vincents University Hospital, Dublin
David A. Fitzpatrick, National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Siobhan McClean, Technological University Dublin

Document Type

Article

Rights

Available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International Licence

Disciplines

3. MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Abstract

Chronic infection is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis (CF) related lung disease. Several opportunistic pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) colonise the airways of CF patients impacting significantly on the quality of life and mortality of people with CF. Bcc is a group of 22 genetically distinct, highly antibiotic resistant bacterial species1,2,3,4 associated with a more dramatic decline than P. aeruginosa5,6. About 20% of Bcc colonised patients experience bacteraemia and “cepacia syndrome”, characterised by a sometimes fatal, necrotising pneumonia7. B. cenocepacia is the most virulent Bcc species and although most frequently associated with bacteraemia, this complication has also been linked to other Bcc species5,8,9,10.

DOI

https://10.1038/s41598-018-31556-6.

Recommended Citation

Cullen, L., O'Connor, A. & McCormack, S. (2018). The Involvement of the Low-Oxygen-Activated Locus of Burkholderia Cenocepacia in Adaptation During Cystic Fibrosis Infection. Scientific Reports, vol. 8, article number 13386.