Pseudomonas aeruginosa Type III Secretion System Virulotypes and Their Association with Clinical Features of Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Abstract

Our findings revealed a high prevalence of the atypical <i>exoS⁺/exoU⁺</i> virulotype among <i>P. aeruginosa</i> isolates from patients with CF, which was associated with intermittent infection and early clinical alterations, while the <i>exoS⁺/exoU^-</i> virulotype was associated with chronic infection and worse clinical results. Finally, the presented data highlight the relevance of T3SS virulence markers in the clinical progression and disease severity in CF patients.