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Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease, characterised by chronic pulmonary infections, pancreatic insufficiency and increased electrolyte content of sweat. Cystic fibrosis is diagnosed in one out of 4761 children below the age of 15 years. Pulmonary infection was previously caused by Staphylococcus aureus, but after the introduction of penicillin, the mortality was reduced from 61% to 20% within the first five years of life. Today chronic pulmonary infection is primarily caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa infection produces an immunologically conditioned destruction of the pulmonary tissue, leading to fatal bronchiectasis. P. aeruginosa develops resistance against most antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents except colistin. Immunological aspects concerning active and passive immunisation are discussed in the article. Until today no useable vaccine has been found, but several candidates are subjects of research. |
