Heterogeneity of Burkholderia strains isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis in the Russian Federation
Cystic fibrosis is the most common genetic disorder, the life expectancy of which is largely determined by the severity of respiratory infection. Colonization of the lungs by bacteria of the genus Burkholderia significantly worsens the prognosis of the disease. In the process of chronic infection, various clonal variants are formed in the bacterial population, differing in a number of characteristics, including antibiotic resistance. The study was the first in Russian Federation to assess the degree of heterogeneity of strains of bacteria of the genus Burkholderia isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis. It is shown that two or more morphotypes differing in their antibiotic resistance can be distinguished from one respiratory sample. In this case, the morphotypes of small colonies are significantly more resistant to meropenem and ceftazidim, compared with normal morphotypes.