title: Pulmonary host defenses. Implications for therapy.
abstract: Pulmonary host defenses comprise a redundant system of protective mechanisms against invasion of the lungs by pathogenic microbes. The upper and lower airways are uniquely suited to contain and remove organisms that gain access to the respiratory mucosa. If the balance between host and organism is disputed, however, microbial clearance may be ineffective, and infection established. Pulmonary host defense mechanisms, which provide the basis for several current therapeutic strategies, are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000502:physiology; D007121:Immunocompetence / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000276:immunology; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents