Lung disease is characterized by bacterial colonization and chronic airway infection.
Though many organisms may be involved, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are particularly prominent for a number of reasons. Antibiotics used to treat lung infections may select for these organisms. Systems that serve as a second line of defense may have difficulty eliminating these particular bacteria. These organisms may also possess certain properties such as increased adherence to CF epithelia that enhance colonization. However, none of the bacteria was killed when placed on the apical surface of CF epithelia.