Metagenomic analysis of the sputum microbiome in patients with cystic fibrosis during pulmonary exacerbation
Cystic fibrosis is a life-limiting genetic disease that affects multiple organ systems. Progressive lung disease featuring mucus obstruction, chronic infection and inflammation, accounts for most of the morbidity and mortality of CF. Pulmonary exacerbations are a hallmark feature of CF lung disease which accelerate lung function decline, reduce QOL and survival. Variable rates of PEx are observed among the CF population and having a history of frequent PEx in the previous year is a strong predictor of future PEx events. The mechanisms underlying PEx, and factors driving frequent PEx are poorly understood. In this study we conducted shotgun metagenomic analysis of the sputum microbiome from patients with CF during an intravenous-treated PEx. We compared the sputum microbiome between patients that had a history of infrequent PEx and those that had a history of frequent PEx in the previous 12 months.