journalsPermissions.nav Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease

Pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis In cystic fibrosis (CF), the genetic defect of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regula-tor (CFTR) gene causes dehydration of the airways, leading to the accumulation of thick, viscous mucus in the airways of affected individuals. Recurrent and ultimately chronic airway infection is a major com-plication in CF and leads to the increased morbidity and mortality found in this disease. A diversity of pathogens can be found in these patients: at a younger age, common agents are Staphylococcus aureus, or Haemophilus influenzae, but other patho-gens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause recurrent and ultimately chronic, pulmonary infec-tion during a patient’s life [Burns et al. 2001