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The genus Prevotella in cystic fibrosis airways

Tyler R Field1, Christopher D Sibley, Michael D Parkins

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Anaerobe
|April 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Prevotella species are common in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) airways, often appearing as diverse polymicrobial communities. Their quantity and composition vary, suggesting a role in CF airway disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pulmonology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Chronic bacterial colonization and inflammation cause significant morbidity and mortality in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients.
  • Recent studies reveal polymicrobial communities, including obligate anaerobes, in CF lower airways, challenging traditional pathogen views.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of Prevotella species in CF airways.
  • To perform quantitative culture and phenotypic analysis of Prevotella in CF sputum samples.

Main Methods:

  • Sputum samples were immediately transferred to anaerobic conditions for quantitative microbiology.
  • Isolates were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing for anaerobes and characterized biochemically.
  • Phenotypic analysis included autoinducer-2 and beta-lactamase production.

Main Results:

  • Prevotella species were the predominant isolates, with 12 species recovered from 16 patients.
  • Three Prevotella species constituted 65% of isolates; multiple species were often found in single samples.
  • Significant phenotypic variability was observed among isolates of the same species, and their abundance changed over time.

Conclusions:

  • The study highlights the diversity and dynamic nature of Prevotella species in the CF airway microbiome.
  • These findings suggest that Prevotella may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CF airway disease.

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