Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces specific signalling molecules, 2-alkyl-4-quinolones (AQs) that are detectable in the sputum of adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) and who have pulmonary infection with this opportunistic pathogen. This study aimed to determine whether AQs could be detected in saliva of patients with CF and known infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Saliva and sputum samples were obtained from 89 adults with CF and analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. AQs were detected in 39/89 (43.8%) saliva samples and 70/77(90.9%) sputum samples. Salivary AQs had a sensitivity of 50% (95%CI; 37.8; 62.2), specificity of 100% (95%CI; 47.8; 100), when compared to a molecular microbiological measure of P. aeruginosa in sputum as measured using polymerase chain reaction. Specific AQs produced by P. aeruginosa can be detected in the saliva and warrant investigation as potential non-invasive biomarkers of pulmonary P. aeruginosa.

铜绿假单胞菌产生特定的信号分子，2-烷基-4-喹诺酮类 (AQs)，可在患有囊性纤维化 (CF) 且肺部感染这种机会性病原体的成人的痰液中检测到。本研究旨在确定是否可以在已知感染铜绿假单胞菌的 CF 患者的唾液中检测到 AQs 。唾液和痰液样本取自 89 名患有 CF 的成年人，并使用液相色谱-串联质谱法进行分析。在 39/89 (43.8%) 的唾液样本和 70/77 (90.9%) 的痰样本中检测到 AQ。与铜绿假单胞菌的分子微生物学测量相比，唾液 AQ 的敏感性为 50%（95%CI；37.8；62.2），特异性为 100%（95%CI；47.8；100）使用聚合酶链反应测量的痰中。可以在唾液中检测到由铜绿假单胞菌产生的特定 AQ，并作为肺铜绿假单胞菌的潜在非侵入性生物标志物进行调查。