300905 Study Guide - Final Guide: Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Interleukin 17, Neutrophilia
23 Feb 2020
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Document Summary
The lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis are colonized and infected by bacteria from an early age. These bacteria, which often spread among individuals with cf, thrive in the altered mucus, which collects in the small airways of the lungs. This mucus leads to the formation of bacterial microenvironments known as biofilms that are difficult for immune cells and antibiotics to penetrate. Viscous secretions and persistent respiratory infections repeatedly damage the lung by gradually remodelling the airways, which makes infection even more difficult to eradicate. Over time, both the types of bacteria and their individual characteristics change in individuals with cf. In the initial stage, common bacteria such as s. aureus and h. influenzae colonize and infect the lungs. 80% of patients with classic cf harbor p. aeruginosa, and. Once within the lungs, these bacteria adapt to the environment and develop resistance to commonly used antibiotics.
