Background. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by a progressive decline in lung function. Despite antibiotic treatment, patients with CF may show a rapid and severe decline in lung function. In the previous project (FFC#8/2012), we found changes in CF airway microbiota associated with a severe decline in lung function (Paganin, Fiscarelli et al. PLoS ONE 10(4): e0124348). Moreover a large set of metagenomic and metabarcoding data were produced allowing to identify additional novel biomarkers for factors responsible for the seriously decline in lung function.

Hypothesis and objectives. The starting hypothesis is that a number of hidden pathogens/biomarkers from non-culturable bacteria may be present in patient’s airways of cystic fibrosis and could be used as predictive markers of severe decline in lung function, allowing earlier intervention and improving health care treatment of CF patients......