Identifying Environmental Reservoirs Of A Cystic Fibrosis Epidemic Strain Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important cause of infection, particularly amongst Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients. While a rare opportunistic pathogen, it is commonly isolated from CF patients as it infects 70% of these individuals [1]. The dogma that was held for many years was that each patient was independently infected by locally acquired non-clonal strains of P. aeruginosa from their own environment.  However, it has been increasingly recognized that many patients attending the same clinic may be infected with genetically related strains, suggesting that infection of these strains may also be achieved through patient-to-patient transmission, such as the Prarie Epidemic Strain concentrated in Southern Alberta [1]. While several strains of P. aeruginosa are 'transmissible', the majority of patients acquire infection with unique isolates [2]. There is a need to understand the relationship between patients living in a particular local and the likelihood of infection with organisms endemic in that local. Determining these pockets is essential as P. aeruginosa is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CF. Here we report the results of 309 water samples collected from heavily populated CF regions in Southern Alberta. The data confirms that pockets of P. aeruginosa exist in this region.