True microbiota involved in chronic lung infection of cystic fibrosis patients found by culturing and 16S rRNA gene analysis

Patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF) develop chronic lung infection. In this study, we investigated the microorganisms present in transplanted CF lungs (n 5) by standard culturing and 16S rRNA gene analysis. A correspondence between culturing and the molecular methods was observed. In conclusion, standard culturing seems reliable for the identification of the dominating pathogens. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal autosomal recessively inherited disorder of Caucasians. Although several organs are affected, the most severe effect is observed in the lungs, which is the major cause of deaths of patients (5). Here, genetic alterations of the chloride channel in epithelial cells lead to dehydration of the airway mucus, increasing its viscos-ity. This means that the cilia are unable to transport the mucus in which inhaled material and, importantly, bacteria are en-trapped, enabling microorganisms to colonize and establish infections within the mucus (9). In the early stages of CF, intermittent colonizations occur, which can be treated wit