Rethinking Respiratory Infections: Pathogens, Synergens and the Airway Microbiome
Michael G Surette, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University
| When |
12 Mar, 2012
from
02:00 pm to 03:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where | Auditorium |
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Seminar
Title: Rethinking Respiratory Infections: Pathogens, Synergens and the Airway Microbiome
Speaker: Michael G Surette
Affiliation: Canada Research Chair in Interdisciplinary Microbiome Research, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University
Abstract:
The microbiome of the respiratory tract, including the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal microbiota, is a dynamic community of microorganisms as diverse as the gastrointestinal microbiome. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a disease in which dynamic microbial communities colonize the airways of patients. The CF airway microbiome, the microbiota present in the lower airways of these patients, is comprised of chronic opportunistic pathogens (such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and a variety of organisms derived mostly from the microbiota of the upper respiratory tract. Can a more comprehensive view of the CF airway microbiome inform us about disease? Traditionally, only a small number of bacterial pathogens have been associated with airway disease in CF, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and the Burkholderia cepacia complex. Surprisingly, the population dynamics of these microbes do not readily account for the occurrence of most pulmonary exacerbations. We have demonstrated that 1) at least some pulmonary exacerbations arise from pathogens overlooked by conventional CF microbiology, and 2) in animal models a large proportion of the organisms in CF airways have the ability to enhance the pathogenicity of the principal CF pathogen P. aeruginosa while being avirulent on their own. These synergens may be a common feature of polymicrobial infections. Making sense of the disease process and host response in chronic polymicrobial infections like CF is complicated by incomplete microbiology. However, patient specific CF airway microbiome profiling may be used guide complementary therapies to current treatments. We are finding similar results with other lower respiratory tract infections.
