As opposed to acute respiratory infections, the persistent bacterial infections of the lung that characterize cystic fibrosis (CF) provide ample time for bacteria to evolve and adapt. The process of adaptation is recorded in mutations that accumulate over time in the genomes of the infecting bacteria. Some of these mutations lead to obvious phenotypic differences such as antibiotic resistance or the well-known mucoid phenotype of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Other mutations may be just as important but harder to detect such as increased mutation rates, cell surface changes, and shifts in metabolism and nutrient acquisition. Remarkably, many of the adaptations occur again and again in different patients, signaling that bacteria are adapting to solve specific challenges in the CF respiratory tract. This parallel evolution even extends across distinct bacterial species. This review addresses the bacterial systems that are known to change in long-term CF infections with a special emphasis on cross-species comparisons. Consideration is given to how adaptation may impact health in CF, and the possible evolutionary mechanisms that lead to the repeated parallel adaptations.

中文翻译：

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囊性纤维化肺病原体的适应和进化。

与急性呼吸道感染相反，以囊性纤维化 (CF) 为特征的肺部持续性细菌感染为细菌进化和适应提供了充足的时间。适应过程记录在感染细菌基因组中随时间累积的突变中。其中一些突变导致明显的表型差异，例如抗生素耐药性或众所周知的铜绿假单胞菌粘液表型。其他突变可能同样重要但更难检测，例如突变率增加、细胞表面变化以及新陈代谢和营养获取的变化。值得注意的是，许多适应性在不同患者身上一次又一次地发生，表明细菌正在适应以解决 CF 呼吸道中的特定挑战。这种平行进化甚至延伸到不同的细菌物种。本综述讨论了已知会在长期 CF 感染中发生变化的细菌系统，特别强调跨物种比较。考虑了适应如何影响 CF 的健康，以及导致重复平行适应的可能进化机制。