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Upper aero-digestive contamination by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and implications in Cystic Fibrosis

R Rivas Caldas1, S Boisramé2

  • 1Laboratoire Universitaire de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie Microbienne (LUBEM-EA 3882), Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Université Européenne de Bretagne (UBO-UEB), 22 avenue C. Desmoulins, 29238 Brest Cedex, France.

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis : Official Journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society
|June 17, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization in the upper airway, specifically the nasopharynx, precedes lower airway decline in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients. This suggests the upper aero-digestive tract is a key contamination pathway for CF lung infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Pulmonology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a prevalent genetic disorder in Caucasians.
  • Bacterial respiratory infections significantly contribute to CF morbidity and mortality.
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a primary pathogen driving lower airway decline in CF.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and identify contamination pathways in the upper aero-digestive tract.
  • To understand the initial colonization sites of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in CF patients.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of existing literature.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on chronic broncho-pulmonary colonization in CF.

Main Results:

  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa is consistently found to colonize nasopharyngeal sites first.
  • The upper aero-digestive tract is identified as the initial colonization site for P. aeruginosa.
  • Early P. aeruginosa presence predicts subsequent broncho-pulmonary colonization.

Conclusions:

  • The nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and oral cavity are implicated as primary contamination routes.
  • Targeting upper airway colonization may be crucial for preventing CF lung infections.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cystic FibrosisMouthNasal cavityParanasal sinusesPseudomonas aeruginosa

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