Adaptation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the cystic fibrosis airway: an evolutionary perspective

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of the airways is a major cause of mortality and morbidity for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Here, Molin and colleagues discuss how P. aeruginosa infection evolves from a state of early, intermittent colonization to a state of chronic infection. Studying the in vivo adaptation of P. aeruginosa will enhance our understanding of bacterial evolution, and could also be important for the development of new therapeutic strategies for CF-associated and other chronic infections.