Viewing the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis as troubled ecosystems that need to be managed may lead to new ways of treating bacterial infections, a team of US researchers suggests. People with cystic fibrosis have two mutated genes, one inherited from each parent, which make the mucus in their lungs abnormally sticky. This clogs up the hair-like cilia that move mucus — and any microbes trapped in it — up and out of the lungs. As a result, patients are very susceptible to lung infections. (source: nature.com)
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