Disarming Cystic Fibrosis Infections
Reported December 02, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — New clues about the most common cause of persistent and fatal lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients may lead to preventive treatments.
A team of scientists at the University of Liverpool recently uncovered unique genetic features of the Liverpool Epidemic Strain, the most common strain of the deadly Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria infecting cystic fibrosis patients in the United Kingdom. They discovered some of the genes unique to the strain of bacteria are positioned in prophages, which can integrate themselves into the DNA of bacteria to cause infection.
The scientists were then able to alter prophages of the Liverpool Epidemic Strain to prevent infection.
Experts say the genetic discoveries about the Liverpool strain will help scientists develop preventive drugs. This is especially important since antibiotics dont always work on this type of infection.
SOURCE: Genome Research, published online December 2, 2008
