Pulmonary bacteriophage and cystic fibrosis airway mucus: friends or foes?

For those born with cystic fibrosis (CF), hyper-concentrated mucus with a dysfunctional structure significantly impacts CF airways, providing a perfect environment for bacterial colonization and subsequent chronic infection. Early treatment with antibiotics limits the prevalence of bacterial pathogens but permanently alters the CF airway microenvironment, resulting in antibiotic resistance and other long-term consequences.

Citation:
Ling KM, Stick SM, Kicic A. Pulmonary bacteriophage and cystic fibrosis airway mucus: friends or foes? Front Med. 2023;10

Keywords:
Airway epithelium; antimicrobial resistance; bacteriophage; cystic fibrosis; mucus

Abstract:
For those born with cystic fibrosis (CF), hyper-concentrated mucus with a dysfunctional structure significantly impacts CF airways, providing a perfect environment for bacterial colonization and subsequent chronic infection. Early treatment with antibiotics limits the prevalence of bacterial pathogens but permanently alters the CF airway microenvironment, resulting in antibiotic resistance and other long-term consequences.