Recapitulation of polymicrobial communities associated with cystic fibrosis airway infections: a perspective

The airways of persons with cystic fibrosis are prone to infection by a diverse and dynamic polymicrobial consortium. Currently, no models exist that permit recapitulation of this consortium within the laboratory. Such microbial ecosystems likely have a network of interspecies interactions, serving to modulate metabolic pathways and impact upon disease severity. The contribution of less abundant/fastidious microbial species on this cross-talk has often been neglected due to lack of experimental tractability. Here, we critically assess the existing models for studying polymicrobial infections. Particular attention is paid to 3Rs-compliant in vitro and in silico infection models, offering significant advantages over mammalian infection models. We outline why these models will likely become the 'go to' approaches when recapitulating polymicrobial cystic fibrosis infection.