Dynamic colonisation by different Pneumocystis jirovecii genotypes in cystic fibrosis patients

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2007 Oct;13(10):1008-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2007.01789.x. Epub 2007 Aug 17.

Abstract

Although asymptomatic carriers of Pneumocystis jirovecii with cystic fibrosis (CF) have been described previously, the molecular epidemiology of P. jirovecii in CF patients has not yet been clarified. This study identified the distribution and dynamic evolution of P. jirovecii genotypes based on the mitochondrial large-subunit (mt LSU) rRNA gene. The mt LSU rRNA genotypes of P. jirovecii isolates in 33 respiratory samples from CF patients were investigated using nested PCR and direct sequencing. Three different genotypes were detected: 36.3% genotype 1 (85C/248C); 15.1% genotype 2 (85A/248C); 42.4% genotype 3 (85T/248C); and 6% mixed genotypes. Patients studied during a 1-year follow-up period showed a continuous colonisation/clearance cycle involving P. jirovecii and an accumulative tendency to be colonised with genotype 3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Carrier State / epidemiology*
  • Carrier State / microbiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Molecular Epidemiology*
  • Pneumocystis carinii / classification
  • Pneumocystis carinii / genetics*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / microbiology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal