Dr Sian Pottenger Bsc, MRes, PhD

The respiratory tract of people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is now understood to be a polymicobial niche. Bacteria are well known as causes of pulmonary exacerbations in people with CF. Fungal species such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus have been associated with lung function decline as well as shortened time between exacerbations and recently viral species have been shown to trigger bacterial infections. Yet, there are limited studies that evaluate the fungal or viral microbiome during exacerbations or the effect of antimicrobial treatment on the "other" microbes involved in polymicrobial infections.

I am now attempting to analyse samples from pre and post treatment with two different antimicrobials to assess three key questions relating to fungal burden in people with CF:

1. What are the fungal signatures relating to presentation of pulmonary exacerbation?
2. What are the fungal signature associated with exacerbation resolution?
3. How do fungal signatures relate to disease severity?