Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Replication of the Ordered, Nonredundant Library of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14 Transposon Insertion Mutants
Published on: May 4, 2018
Evolution and host-specific adaptation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Aaron Weimann1,2,3,4, Adam M Dinan1,2,3, Christopher Ruis1,2,3,4
1Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart & Lung Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract:
The major human bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes multidrug-resistant infections in people with underlying immunodeficiencies or structural lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF). We show that a few environmental isolates, driven by horizontal gene acquisition, have become dominant epidemic clones that have sequentially emerged and spread through global transmission networks over the past 200 years. These clones demonstrate varying intrinsic propensities for infecting CF or non-CF individuals (linked to specific transcriptional changes enabling survival within macrophages); have undergone multiple rounds of convergent, host-specific adaptation; and have eventually lost their ability to transmit between different patient groups. Our findings thus explain the pathogenic evolution of P. aeruginosa and highlight the importance of global surveillance and cross-infection prevention in averting the emergence of future epidemic clones.
Insights
Dominant clones of Pseudomonas aeruginosa have evolved over 200 years through gene acquisition and host adaptation, causing multidrug-resistant infections. Global surveillance is crucial to prevent future epidemic strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major bacterial pathogen causing multidrug-resistant infections.
- These infections disproportionately affect individuals with immunodeficiencies or structural lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis (CF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary pathways and emergence of dominant epidemic clones of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- To understand the genetic and adaptive mechanisms driving the pathogenicity and transmission of P. aeruginosa.
Main Methods:
- Genomic analysis of environmental and clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa.
- Phylogenetic analysis to reconstruct global transmission networks and evolutionary history.
- Comparative transcriptomics to identify host-specific adaptation mechanisms.
Main Results:
- A few environmental P. aeruginosa isolates have become dominant epidemic clones through horizontal gene acquisition over the past 200 years.
- These clones exhibit varying abilities to infect CF and non-CF individuals, linked to transcriptional changes enabling macrophage survival.
- Convergent, host-specific adaptations have occurred, leading to a loss of transmission ability between different patient groups.
Conclusions:
- Horizontal gene acquisition and host-specific adaptation explain the pathogenic evolution of P. aeruginosa.
- Global surveillance and cross-infection prevention are vital to mitigate the emergence of future epidemic clones.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
01:38Limits to Natural Selection