Animal models of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections represent a major morbid complication. The current state-of the-art research suggests that alginate biofilm formation is crucial in the pathogenesis of chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection and that quorum sensing (QS)-regulated virulence factors that might be important for initiation of acute infection are often selected against during chronic infection. Hence, fine tuned balances of regulatory virulence systems are adaptive traits of P. aeruginosa during persistent infection.

Section editor:Trevor Trust – AstraZeneca R&D Boston, 35 Gatehouse Drive, Waltham, MA 02451, USA