A family cluster of persistent Pandoraea vervacti infection in cystic fibrosis

Bacterial colonization of the cystic fibrosis (CF) airways is polymicrobial and several emerging microorganisms with a potential pathogenic role may be present. We report a case of three siblings with CF colonized by Pandoraea over a period of 10 years. Isolates identified as various non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli from sputum cultures were successfully re-identified as Pandoraea vervacti (P. vervacti) by a combination of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and 16S rRNA and gyrB sequencing. Furthermore, the transcript expression of type I and type III interferon (IFN) genes was examined in the cells of respiratory samples from these patients and compared with a Pandoraea-negative group of CF individuals. Increased respiratory levels of IFNβ, IFNε and IL28R1 mRNA were found in the three siblings. Our results demonstrate that P. vervacti can chronically colonize CF patients and alter IFN response, likely contributing to immunopathogenesis and disease progression.