DNA sequencing offers more precise diagnosis for serious lung infections
Lung infections are a constant risk for people living with cystic fibrosis (CF), a life-threatening genetic disorder that impairs lung function, predisposes people to persistent airway infections and puts them at risk of acquiring multidrug-resistant infections.
Cystic fibrosis patients face a high risk of lung infections due to the thick mucus that accumulates in their airways. Researchers at Flinders University are employing DNA sequencing technology to more accurately identify these infections, which could improve treatment and reduce the reliance on long-term antibiotics. The technology, published in Clinical Microbiology Reviews, can detect infections more rapidly than traditional lab methods and identify antimicrobial resistance.
DNA sequencing also allows for the monitoring of changes in the airway microbiome over time, helping scientists understand how new CFTR modulator therapies reshape the microbiome. While promising, the technology still needs further clinical validation before it can become a routine diagnostic tool in Australia.
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