The emergence of a highly transmissible lineage of cbl+ Pseudomonas (Burkholderia) cepacia causing CF centre epidemics in North America and Britain

Authors:
  • RJRu-Zhang Jiang
    Ru-Zhang Jiang
  • SSSuzanne Steinbach
    Suzanne Steinbach
  • AHAlison Holmes
    Alison Holmes
  • CCCraig Campanelli
    Craig Campanelli
  • JFJanet Forstner
    Janet Forstner
  • USUma Sajjan
    Uma Sajjan
  • YTYing Tan
    Ying Tan
  • MRMargaret Riley
    Margaret Riley
  • RGRichard Goldstein
    Richard Goldstein
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Abstract
The rapid increase in Pseudomonas (Burkholderia) cepacia infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients suggests epidemic transmission, but the degree of transmissibility remains controversial as conflicting conclusions have been drawn from studies at different CF centres. This report provides the first DNA sequence-based documentation of a divergent evolutionary lineage of P. cepacia associated with CF centre epidemics in North America (Toronto) and Europe (Edinburgh). The involved epidemic clone encoded and expressed novel cable (Cbl) pili that bind to CF mucin. The sequence of the cblA pilin subunit gene carried by the epidemic isolates proved to be invariant. Although it remains to be determined how many distinct, highly transmissible lineages exist, our results provide both a DNA sequence and chromosomal fingerprint that can be used to screen for one such particularly infectious, transatlantic clone.

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