Cystic fibrosis respiratory infections: interactions between bacteria and host defence.
In cystic fibrosis, impaired mucociliary clearance leads to chronic endobronchial bacterial infection, mostly caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the early stage of infection, the pathogen produces several extracellular protein toxins which may contribute to its multifactorial virulence before specific antibodies are produced. P. aeruginosa successfully resists phagocytosis by neutrophils, which dominate the local inflammatory response, by switching from a nonmucoid variant to a mucoid phenotype. Chronic infection and inflammation are characterized by neutrophil-released proteinases which may provide favourable growth conditions for the bacterial opportunist. Aerosol therapy with serine proteinase inhibitors is being investigated in cystic fibrosis.
Döring
G
G
Dept of General and Environmental Hygiene, University of Tubingen, Germany.
D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000276:immunology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*
D011480:Protease Inhibitors