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Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Visualization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa within the Sputum of Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Published on: July 16, 2020
Inflammatory markers in cystic fibrosis patients with transmissible Pseudomonas aeruginosa
A M Jones1, L Martin, R J Bright-Thomas
1Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, Manchester, UK. andmarkj@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) leads to a damaging host inflammatory response. There are an increasing number of reports of P. aeruginosa cross-infection at CF centres. The clinical significance of acquisition of a transmissible strain for patients who already harbour P. aeruginosa is unclear. In this study, levels of inflammatory markers in clinically stable adult CF patients who harbour transmissible and sporadic strains of P. aeruginosa have been compared. Patients with CF and chronic P. aeruginosa infection were grouped into those who harbour a transmissible P. aeruginosa and those who harbour their own sporadic strains. Total white cell and differential counts, sputum neutrophil elastase (NE), interleukin (IL)-8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, plasma IL-6 and NE/alpha1-antitrypsin complexes, serum C-reactive protein, and urine TNF receptor 1 were all measured in clinically stable patients 4-6 weeks following completion of intravenous antibiotic therapy. The two groups (both n=20) were well matched for per cent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second, per cent predicted forced vital capacity and body mass index. There were no significant differences in levels of white cell counts or inflammatory markers between the two groups. At times of clinical stability, cystic fibrosis patients infected with transmissible Pseudomonas aeruginosa do not have a heightened inflammatory response above that of those harbouring sporadic strains.
Insights
Transmissible Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains do not worsen inflammation in cystic fibrosis patients already infected. This study found no significant differences in inflammatory markers between patients with transmissible and sporadic strains during clinical stability.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is a major concern in cystic fibrosis (CF), contributing to lung damage.
- Increasing reports of P. aeruginosa cross-infection at CF centers raise questions about the clinical impact of acquiring transmissible strains.
- The significance of transmissible P. aeruginosa strains in patients already chronically infected is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare inflammatory marker levels in clinically stable adult CF patients harboring transmissible versus sporadic P. aeruginosa strains.
- To determine if acquiring a transmissible P. aeruginosa strain exacerbates the host inflammatory response in chronically infected CF individuals.
Main Methods:
- Adult CF patients with chronic P. aeruginosa infection were categorized into groups based on harboring transmissible or sporadic strains.
- Inflammatory markers including white blood cell counts, neutrophil elastase (NE), IL-8, TNF-alpha, IL-6, NE/alpha1-antitrypsin complexes, C-reactive protein, and urine TNF receptor 1 were measured.
- Measurements were taken in clinically stable patients 4-6 weeks post-intravenous antibiotic therapy.
Main Results:
- Twenty patients were included in each group (transmissible vs. sporadic strains).
- The groups were well-matched for lung function (FEV1, FVC) and body mass index.
- No significant differences were observed in white cell counts or any measured inflammatory markers between the two groups.
Conclusions:
- In clinically stable CF patients with chronic P. aeruginosa infection, harboring a transmissible strain does not lead to a heightened inflammatory response compared to harboring sporadic strains.
- Acquisition of transmissible P. aeruginosa strains does not appear to increase inflammation during periods of clinical stability.
