Subtle relationships between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungi in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common hereditary lung diseases. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) and Candida albicans (CA) are the principal bacterial and fungal pathogens in the airways of CF patients. The interactions of coexisting bacterial-fungal pathogens are of great interest. In the present work, we reviewed the literature of available in vitro and in vivo studies, whereas most of the reports have shown that PA inhibits the growth of fungi through restriction of iron uptake and secretion of toxic substances. Fungi may also affect the growth or virulence of PA through their secreted molecules. To clarify the bacterial-fungal interaction, more in-depth and detailed studies are still needed, which will provide a better understanding of species, microbial population dynamics, and related mechanisms in CF patients.