Inter-species competition of hypermutator Achromobacter xylosoxidans against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis lung infection

One of the main evolutionary mechanisms favoring bacterial persistence is hypermutation, in which defects in DNA repair processes promote an increased mutation rate. We recently confirmed the occurrence of hypermutation in a clinical isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans, an emerging opportunistic pathogen causing chronic lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). To identify possible effects of this phenomenon on the course of infection, in the present study we evaluated whether this isolate had higher chances of competing with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major CF pathogen.