Mucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: the influence of culture medium on the stability of mucus production.

Mucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), those obtained from non-CF patients, and those obtained in vitro by the action of phage, were found to be stable in their mucoid colonial form when serially subcultured on deoxycholate-citrate agar. The ability of anionic, cationic and neutral surfactants to stabilise mucus production is described. The possible importance of dipalmitoyl lecithin as a stabilising agent for mucus production in vivo is considered, with particular reference to the role of mucoid P. aeruginosa in CF disease.