title: Antimicrobial resistance in the respiratory microbiota of people with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: Cystic fibrosis is characterised by chronic polymicrobial infection and inflammation in the airways of patients. Antibiotic treatment regimens, targeting recognised pathogens, have substantially contributed to increased life expectancy of patients with this disease. Although the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and selection of highly antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is of major concern, the clinical relevance in cystic fibrosis is yet to be defined. Resistance has been identified in recognised cystic fibrosis pathogens and in other bacteria (eg, Prevotella and Streptococcus spp) detected in the airway microbiota, but their role in the pathophysiology of infection and inflammation in chronic lung disease is unclear. Increased antibiotic resistance in cystic fibrosis might be attributed to a range of complex factors including horizontal gene transfer, hypoxia, and biofilm formation. Strategies to manage antimicrobial resistance consist of new antibiotics or localised delivery of antimicrobial agents, iron sequestration, inhibition of quorum-sensing, and resistome analysis. Determination of the contributions of every bacterial species to lung health or disease in cystic fibrosis might also have an important role in the management of antibiotic resistance.
authors.affiliation: CF and Airways Microbiology Group, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK; School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Sherrard
authors.affiliation: CF and Airways Microbiology Group, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK; School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Tunney
authors.affiliation: CF and Airways Microbiology Group, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK; Centre for Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK. Electronic address: s.elborn@qub.ac.uk.
authors.forename: J Stuart
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Elborn
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota / Q000187:drug effects*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents