Cystic fibrosis. Infection and immunity to Pseudomonas.

Chronic pulmonary infection with P. aeruginosa in CF may result from: 1. An initial failure of clearance mechanisms (increased adherence) leading to the development of a highly compartmentalized inflammatory reaction; 2. Inhibition of clearing mechanisms for bacteria present in the bronchial lumen; and 3. A largely ineffective, and possibly damaging, hyperactivity of inflammatory cells in the lumen and bronchial wall. The special relationship between the CF host and P. aeruginos, always long-term, and frequently subtle in its complexity, needs further understanding in order to develop new strategies for the treatment of chronic lung infections with this organism.