Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes
03:53

Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes

Published on: April 19, 2024

1.3K

The microbiome and emerging pathogens in cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Heather Green1, Andrew M Jones1

  • 1Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|April 1, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Emerging pathogens and the lung microbiome are increasingly recognized as significant factors in cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis. Understanding these complex microbial communities is crucial for managing chronic pulmonary sepsis in these patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Chronic pulmonary sepsis is a major cause of illness in cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis.
  • Infections were once thought to involve only a few common pathogens, but emerging microbes are now frequently reported.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the clinical significance of emerging pathogens in CF and non-CF bronchiectasis.
  • To explore the role of the lung microbiome in these conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent literature on emerging pathogens.
  • Discussion of culture-independent methodologies for analyzing lung microbiota.

Main Results:

  • Identification of emerging pathogens such as Burkholderia, Stenotrophomonas, and nontuberculous mycobacteria.
  • Confirmation of complex lung microbial communities (lung microbiome) in CF and non-CF bronchiectasis patients.

Conclusions:

  • Emerging pathogens and the lung microbiome represent a critical area of clinical concern in CF and non-CF bronchiectasis.
  • Further research into these complex interactions is needed for improved patient management.

More Related Videos

The WinCF Model - An Inexpensive and Tractable Microcosm of a Mucus Plugged Bronchiole to Study the Microbiology of Lung Infections06:57

The WinCF Model - An Inexpensive and Tractable Microcosm of a Mucus Plugged Bronchiole to Study the Microbiology of Lung Infections

Published on: May 8, 2017

9.7K
Cystic Fibrosis Aggregate Biofilm Model to Study Infection-relevant Gene Expression08:58

Cystic Fibrosis Aggregate Biofilm Model to Study Infection-relevant Gene Expression

Published on: April 18, 2025

1.2K

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
44
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
1.1K
Cystic Fibrosis: Management01:24

Cystic Fibrosis: Management

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that predominantly affects individuals of Northern European descent, occurring at a rate of 1 in 3500. It is caused by a genetic mutation in a gene on chromosome 7, most commonly the ΔF508 mutation, that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This results in thicker mucus secretions and obstruction pathologies in multiple organs, including the lungs and sinuses.
Sinus disease and chronic...
642
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
104
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
50
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
77