University of Louisville
Household Niches of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Institution
University of Louisville
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Susanna Remold
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder characterized by an inability to battle bacterial infections in the lung. As CF patients are frequently affected by the activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, this research strived to identify household locations that contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa infestations in order to develop protocol to minimize exposure. This particular study focused on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa infestations in the home of a CF patient. This household was sampled over a two-year period, and analyses yielded information about the progression and spread over time of the bacteria. Environmental sampling involved swabbing of different areas around the home that are easily accessible to children. Samples were grown on Pseudomonas Isolation Agar (PIA). These areas included bathroom drains, pets, houseplants, toys, and kitchen appliances, among others. In addition, several samples are taken from body parts of the family members themselves, such as the ear canal and the navel to account for strains that have adapted to live in the human body. Upon completion of sampling, data analysis transpired, including inoculation of samples and extraction and amplification of DNA. Eventually, each sample was sequenced and classified according to known genomes to identify exact species (distinguishing between Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, other Pseudomonas, and other species). Also, the locations, where Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found, were compared from one sampling to the next to identify migration within the home.
Household Niches of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder characterized by an inability to battle bacterial infections in the lung. As CF patients are frequently affected by the activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, this research strived to identify household locations that contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa infestations in order to develop protocol to minimize exposure. This particular study focused on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa infestations in the home of a CF patient. This household was sampled over a two-year period, and analyses yielded information about the progression and spread over time of the bacteria. Environmental sampling involved swabbing of different areas around the home that are easily accessible to children. Samples were grown on Pseudomonas Isolation Agar (PIA). These areas included bathroom drains, pets, houseplants, toys, and kitchen appliances, among others. In addition, several samples are taken from body parts of the family members themselves, such as the ear canal and the navel to account for strains that have adapted to live in the human body. Upon completion of sampling, data analysis transpired, including inoculation of samples and extraction and amplification of DNA. Eventually, each sample was sequenced and classified according to known genomes to identify exact species (distinguishing between Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida, other Pseudomonas, and other species). Also, the locations, where Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found, were compared from one sampling to the next to identify migration within the home.