Unique lipid A modifications in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis

Three structural features of lipid A ( addition of palmitate [C16 fatty acid], addition of aminoarabinose [ positively charged amino sugar residue], and retention of 3-hydroxydecanoate [3-OH C10 fatty acid]) were determined for Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF; n = 86), from the environment (n = 13), and from patients with other conditions (n = 13). Among P. aeruginosa CF isolates, 100% had lipid A with palmitate, 24.6% with aminoarabinose, and 33.3% retained 3- hydroxydecanoate. None of the isolates from the environment or from patients with other conditions displayed these modifications. These results indicate that unique lipid A modifications occur in clinical P. aeruginosa CF isolates.