Inflammation and Airway Microbiota during Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Exacerbations

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062917
• Publication Date: 2013-05-01T22:27:32Z
• Authors: Edith T. Zemanick; J. Kirk Harris; Brandie D. Wagner; Charles E. Robertson; Scott D. Sagel; Mark J. Stevens; Frank J. Accurso; Theresa A. Laguna
• Keywords: Adult; Inflammation; Male; 0301 basic medicine; Adolescent; Bacteria; Cystic Fibrosis; Science; Q; Respiratory System; R; Sputum; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Respiratory Function Tests; 3. Good health; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Medicine; Humans; Metagenome; Female; Child; Research Article

Background Pulmonary exacerbations (PEx), frequently associated with airway infection and inflammation, are the leading cause of morbidity in cystic fibrosis (CF). Molecular microbiologic approaches detect complex microbiota from CF samples taken during PEx. The relationship between microbiota, lung function PEx is not well understood. Objective To determine relationships subjects treated for Methods Expectorated sputum blood were collected testing performed early (0–3d.) late treatment (>7d.) Sputum was analyzed by culture, pyrosequencing 16S rRNA amplicons, quantitative PCR total specific bacteria. IL-8 neutrophil elastase (NE); circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) measured. Results Thirty-seven 21 subjects. At treatment, lower diversity high relative abundance (RA) Pseudomonas (r = −0.67, p<0.001), decreased FEV1% predicted 0.49, p 0.03) increased CRP −0.58, 0.01). In contrast to Pseudomonas, obligate facultative anaerobic genera less inflammation higher FEV1. With RA P. aeruginosa qPCR while showed marked variability response. Change Prevotella more FEV1 response than or Staphylococcus. Conclusions Anaerobes identified sequencing compared at exacerbation. results variable changes suggesting need larger studies particularly patients without traditional pathogens.