Communication is an important factor for bacterial survival, growth, and persistence. Much work has examined both inter- and intraspecies interactions and their effects on virulence. Now, researchers have begun to explore the ways in which host-modulated factors can impact bacterial interactions and subsequently affect patient outcomes. In this issue, two papers discuss how the host environment alters interactions between the pathogensPseudomonas aeruginosaandStaphylococcus aureus, largely in the context of cystic fibrosis.
Use of Artificial Sputum Medium to Test Antibiotic Efficacy Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Conditions More Relevant to the Cystic Fibrosis Lung