Proteogenomics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Cystic Fibrosis Infections

This chapter presents an overview of the adaptation and pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung. It discusses how both genomic and proteomic approaches can be utilized in studying the pathogenesis of p. aeruginosa in CF cystic fibrosis infections. The development of biofilm lifestyle is crucial in the adaptation of P. aeruginosa in the CF lung infections. Whereas P. aeruginosa commonly produces Pel and Psl exopolysaccharides during biofilm formation in early acute infections, alginate plays a more significant role in the biofilm formation in chronic persistent infections in the CF lung. During the chronic CF lung infections, even with high interclonal and intraclonal genome diversities, the evolution of p. aeruginosa usually follows a predictable and distinct pattern. Via genotyping, the initial stages of CF lung infections were characterized by recurrent acute infections which can be treated easily with antibiotics.