Pseudomonas aeruginosa and cystic fibrosis: unusual bacterial adaptation and pathogenesis.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an adaptable, saprophytic bacterium with the potential to cause a variety of opportunistic infections in compromised hosts. In patients with cystic fibrosis, chronic pulmonary colonization with mucoid alginate-producing mutants of P. aeruginosa is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is an interesting example of microbial adaptation and host-bacterium interaction.
Govan
J R
JR
Department of Bacteriology, University of Edinburgh Medical School, UK.
Harris
G S
GS
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure