Chronic respiratory tract infection in patients with cystic fibrosis: iron metabolism
and its significance

Kozlov A.V.

Samara state medical University, Ministry of health of Russia, Samara

Today, cystic fibrosis is one of the most common hereditary diseases. This review presents the etiological causes and pathogenesis of infectious and inflammatory complications in the respiratory tract in patients with cystic fibrosis, namely infection with non-fermenting gram-negative bacteria, primarily Burkholderia cepacia complex. The role of iron as an essential factor in bacterial metabolism and the mechanisms of its acquisition by microbial cells from the environment, including the respiratory tract of patients with cystic fibrosis, are also described. Data on the significance of Burkholderia cepacia complex siderophores in the processes of binding and transport of iron into bacterial cells are presented. The result of complex interactions between bacteria and macroorganism in cystic fibrosis can be the development of severe exacerbations, including "cepacia syndrome", which, taking into account the above data, should be considered not only as direct damage to lung tissues by bacteria, but also as the consequences of the mechanisms for the acquisition of the metal they need.