Stratified Functional Analysis of Bacterial Genes Associated With Pulmonary Exacerbations in Cystic Fibrosis

This prospective observational study investigated the role of specific airway microbiome community members in pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Respiratory samples were collected at three time points: PEx onset, end of antibiotic treatment, and follow-up. Metagenomic sequencing identified 221 bacterial species. Ten species showed significant differential gene abundance across clinical states, with *Staphylococcus aureus* dominating PEx and *Streptococcus salivarius* in follow-up. The study also found a unique differentially abundant metabolic pathway in *Veillonella atypica* during follow-up compared to PEx, suggesting a potential role in improved lung function. The findings highlight the importance of bacterial metabolic potential in understanding changes in CF clinical states.

Andrea Hahn, Elizabeth Córdoba-Lanús, Gloria Pérez-Rubio, Elpis Hatziagorou, Ioana Mihaiela Ciuca, A. Burrell, H. Chaney, I. Sami, A. Koumbourlis, R. Freishtat, K.C., E.Z., G.S., A.K.