New Bacteria Could Unlock New Potential Treatments for Cystic Fibrosis

Researchers and medical professionals have spent years trying to research cystic fibrosis in order to find better treatments (and hopefully a cure someday). One new discovery may change the way doctors approach cystic fibrosis treatments in the future. Read on to learn about the study and what it may mean for cystic fibrosis patients.

The study

A group of investigators in Madrid, Spain, studied the bacterial samples provided by 15 cystic fibrosis patients three to four times over the course of one year. The researchers used a laboratory technique called next-generation sequencing to examine the bacterial makeup of all of the samples. Each person has a different bacterial makeup in their body, so it was easy for the researchers to tell which bacterium were individualized and which were consistent across all of the samples.

What surprised the researchers was the discovery of two consistent bacterium in most of the samples, Vampirovibrio and Bdellovibrio. Vampirovibrio is a predatory bacterium that destroys cells by sucking out their contents (hence the name). Bdellovibrio is another predatory bacterium that enters cells and feeds on their proteins. Only one patient had samples that showed both of the bacteria together. The researchers developed a computer science model to explain the relationship between these bacteria and the samples. The researchers hypothesized that the predators are not likely to be caused by cystic fibrosis. However, they did also state that these bacteria may actually prove beneficial to cystic fibrosis patients. While these types of bacteria can kill normal healthy cells, they also can prevent the spreading of bacteria like P. aeruginosa (a common bacterium that causes cystic fibrosis symptoms).

The study showed researchers that the bacteria found in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients may have a more complex relationship than initially believed. Researchers believed that these predatory bacteria could possibly be used to prevent the colonization of cystic fibrosis bacteria in the lungs of patients (something that is currently irreversible according to most medical professionals). The researchers still require more testing to cultivate the bacteria and figure out how they survive in the lungs and interact with other cells in the body.

It is possible that this study could lead to a better treatment for cystic fibrosis patients that could prevent the spreading of the disease to the lungs, which would greatly increase patients’ quality of life and make the disease less debilitating.

What can I do to fight CF?

While this might be great news for future cystic fibrosis patients, those who are currently suffering are likely mourning the fact that they don't have a solution for their situation. This is completely understandable, and unfortunately, we do not have those answers either. However, we do have a few tips and tricks that you or a loved one with cystic fibrosis can use to at least mitigate some of the symptoms associated with the disease.

Following these tips and tricks could improve your quality of life and make the disease a bit more manageable.