A family cluster of persistent <i>Pandoraea vervacti</i> 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 <i>Pandoraea</i> over a period of 10 years. Isolates identified as various non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli from sputum cultures were successfully re-identified as <i>Pandoraea vervacti</i> (<i>P. vervacti</i>) 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 <i>Pandoraea</i>-negative group of CF individuals. Increased respiratory levels of IFNβ, IFNε and IL28R1 mRNA were found in the three siblings. Our results demonstrate that <i>P. vervacti</i> can chronically colonize CF patients and alter IFN response, likely contributing to immunopathogenesis and disease progression.