Abstract
ABSTRACTCystic fibrosis (CF) lung microbiota composition has recently been redefined by the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) tools, identifying, among others, previously undescribed anaerobic and uncultivable bacteria. In the present study, we monitored the fluctuations of this ecosystem in 15 CF patients during a 1-year follow-up period, describing for the first time, as far as we know, the presence of predator bacteria in the CF lung microbiome. In addition, a new computational model was developed to ascertain the hypothetical ecological repercussions of a prey-predator interaction in CF lung microbial communities. Fifteen adult CF patients, stratified according to their pulmonary function into mild (n = 5), moderate (n = 9), and severe (n = 1) disease, were recruited at the CF unit of the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital (Madrid, Spain). Each patient contributed three or four induced sputum samples during a 1-year follow-up period. Lung microbiota composition was determined by both cultivation and NGS techniques and was compared with the patients’ clinical variables. Results revealed a particular microbiota composition for each patient that was maintained during the study period, although some fluctuations were detected without any clinical correlation. For the first time, Bdellovibrio and Vampirovibrio predator bacteria were shown in CF lung microbiota and reduced-genome bacterial parasites of the phylum Parcubacteria were also consistently detected. The newly designed computational model allows us to hypothesize that inoculation of predators into the pulmonary microbiome might contribute to the control of chronic colonization by CF pathogens in early colonization stages.
Highlights
Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung microbiota composition has recently been redefined by the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) tools, identifying, among others, previously undescribed anaerobic and uncultivable bacteria
Bdellovibrio and Vampirovibrio predator bacteria were found for the first time by NGS as part of the CF lung microbiota, their ecological significance needs to be clarified
All 15 of the CF patients in this study completed the 1-year follow-up, contributing the four scheduled sputum samples, with the exception of four patients, who contributed only three samples because of circumstances not related to this study
Summary
Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung microbiota composition has recently been redefined by the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) tools, identifying, among others, previously undescribed anaerobic and uncultivable bacteria. The presence of B. bacteriovorus in the gut microbiota of healthy individuals and CF patients has been recently reported, as well as its ability to prey on classical CF pathogens such as P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and S. maltophilia, even in their biofilm format [14, 16] For these reasons, the use of these predator bacteria as an ecological strategy to control pathogenic CF lung bacteria and as a probiotic to control gut microbiota dysbiosis in inflammatory bowel disease has been suggested [17, 18]. An unexpected finding of the application of NGS in the present study encouraged us to report for the first time, as far as we know, the presence of predator bacteria in the CF lung microbiome, monitoring their possible association with the population fluctuation in 15 CF patients during a 1-year follow-up period.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
