 |
The thick, dehydrated mucus that blocks bronchioles sets off a vicious cycle of infection and inflammation. Interestingly, the strong immune response to lung infection in individuals with CF is often too aggressive, leading to lung damage. In healthy lungs, white blood cells, or neutrophils, attack and eradicate bacteria. In CF patients, however, bacteria are not eradicated despite this normal response. Researchers think that these bacteria can produce an infection, evade the white blood cells, and still constantly attract neutrophils. When they engulf bacteria, neutrophils release chemicals that severely damage the lungs. Even though the body can normally neutralize these chemicals, the ongoing presence of neutrophils in the airway overwhelms this process. Eventually, lung tissue is destroyed, airway gland secretion is increased, and ciliary beat frequency slows down. Also, more bacteria can bind to the airway surface.
| | Select from the menu above to compare the normal lung aiway to the lung airway with CF and bacterial infection or with CF and inflammation. |
|
|
|
