Assessing the Airway Microbiota in Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by chronic airway bacterial infections and airway inflammation. Microbiologic cultures of CF airway samples identify a narrow spectrum of pathogenic bacteria. More recently, culture-independent techniques have identified much more diverse microbial communities within the CF airways. The role of these bacterial communities in CF disease progression and pulmonary exacerbations is under investigation. This review discusses advances in molecular approaches for microbiota analysis; challenges in airway sampling; recent findings in airway microbiota in CF, including longitudinal changes with disease progression and pulmonary exacerbations; and areas for future study.