Beyond phenotype: The genomic heterogeneity of co-infecting Mycobacterium abscessus smooth and rough colony variants in cystic fibrosis patients

Mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs) has emerged as one of the most difficult-to-manage opportunistic pathogen responsible for pulmonary infections, especially in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients [1]. Mabs exhibits smooth or rough colony morphotypes characterized by the presence or absence of surface-associated glycopeptidolipids (GPL), respectively. Within the GPL locus in Mabs (CIP104536T), the MAB_4099c (msp1), MAB_4098c (msp2), MAB_4097c (gap), MAB_4117c (mmpS4), MAB_4116c (mmpL4a) and MAB_4115c (mmpL4b) genes [2] have shown to play an important role in the GPL production.
Source: Journal of Cystic Fibrosis - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research