Identifying and understanding multidrug resistant pathogens isolated from Cystic Fibrosis patients

Abstract

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a mutated Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR), which is a chloride ion channel. When the CFTR gene is mutated, it causes the protein to be absent or lose function, which leads to dehydration in the lung's airways and also traps mucus inside the lungs. These conditions in the lung generate a perfect environment for bacterial colonization by multiple different species. Chronic bacterial colonization and development of antibiotic resistance are serious concerns for CF patients. Previous studies looking at antibiotic resistant bacteria focused on a specific genus species and it is possible that highly resistant bacteria were missed, whereas this study aims to identify overall resistant bacteria. This study aims to identify highly resistant bacterial populations directly from the sputa of CF patients in Oklahoma. Total bacterial populations from CF sputa were previously collected and cryogenically frozen. Samples from 41 patients were screened for high resistance to four antibiotics: Ticaracillin, Gentamycin, Polymixin B and Carbenicllin. Resistance was measured via Kriby-Bauer disc assays. A total of 11 highly resistant bacteria were identified which are currently being assessed for MICs and will be identified by 16S sequencing.