Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infections in cystic fibrosis: insights into pathogenic processes and treatment strategies

TY - JOUR

T1 - Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infections in cystic fibrosis: insights into pathogenic processes and treatment strategies

AU - Hassett, Daniel J

AU - Korfhagen, Thomas R

AU - Irvin, Randall T

AU - Schurr, Michael J

AU - Sauer, Karin

AU - Lau, Gee W

AU - Sutton, Mark D

AU - Yu, Hongwei

AU - Høiby, Niels

PY - 2010/2/1

Y1 - 2010/2/1

N2 - Importance of the field: CF airway mucus can be infected by opportunistic microorganisms, notably Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Once organisms are established as biofilms, even the most potent antibiotics have little effect on their viability, especially during late-stage chronic infections. Better understanding of the mechanisms used by P. aeruginosa to circumvent host defenses and therapeutic intervention strategies is critical for advancing novel treatment strategies. Areas covered in this review: Inflammatory injury in CF lung, role of neutrophils in pathogenesis, P. aeruginosa biofilms, mucoidy and its relationship with poor airway oxygenation, mechanisms by which P. aeruginosa biofilms in the CF airway can be killed. What the reader will gain: An understanding of the processes that P. aeruginosa undergoes during CF airway disease and clues to better treat such infections in future. Take home message: The course of CF airway disease is a process involving host and microbial factors that often dictate frequency of pulmonary exacerbations, thus affecting the overall course. In the past decade significant discoveries have been made regarding the pathogenic processes used by P. aeruginosa to bypass the immune system. Many new and exciting features of P. aeruginosa now illuminate weaknesses in the organism that may render it susceptible to inexpensive compounds that force its own destruction.

AB - Importance of the field: CF airway mucus can be infected by opportunistic microorganisms, notably Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Once organisms are established as biofilms, even the most potent antibiotics have little effect on their viability, especially during late-stage chronic infections. Better understanding of the mechanisms used by P. aeruginosa to circumvent host defenses and therapeutic intervention strategies is critical for advancing novel treatment strategies. Areas covered in this review: Inflammatory injury in CF lung, role of neutrophils in pathogenesis, P. aeruginosa biofilms, mucoidy and its relationship with poor airway oxygenation, mechanisms by which P. aeruginosa biofilms in the CF airway can be killed. What the reader will gain: An understanding of the processes that P. aeruginosa undergoes during CF airway disease and clues to better treat such infections in future. Take home message: The course of CF airway disease is a process involving host and microbial factors that often dictate frequency of pulmonary exacerbations, thus affecting the overall course. In the past decade significant discoveries have been made regarding the pathogenic processes used by P. aeruginosa to bypass the immune system. Many new and exciting features of P. aeruginosa now illuminate weaknesses in the organism that may render it susceptible to inexpensive compounds that force its own destruction.

KW - Biofilms

KW - Cystic Fibrosis

KW - Fimbriae, Bacterial

KW - Flagella

KW - Humans

KW - Lung

KW - Neutrophils

KW - Pseudomonas Infections

KW - Pseudomonas aeruginosa

KW - Quorum Sensing

KW - Sodium Nitrite

U2 - 10.1517/14728220903454988

DO - 10.1517/14728220903454988

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 20055712

SN - 1472-8222

VL - 14

SP - 117

EP - 130

JO - Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets

JF - Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets

IS - 2

ER -