Pseudomonas_aeruginosa_deep_sequencing
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited, life-limiting, multi-system disorder, for which acute deteriorations in lung function termed 'acute pulmonary exacerbations' (APEs) are the single most important cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite this, little is understood about the pathophysiological processes that trigger APEs, although they are thought to be driven by respiratory infections. However, there is no substantive evidence to date that the presence or load of individual species is driving this process. This may reflect the complex underlying microbial diversity found in the CF lung at both the inter and intra species level. Over 80% of adults with CF are chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and using targeted deep sequencing, we are investigating whether the subclonal diversity of P. aeruginosa correlates with the onset of APEs