PULMONARY HOST DEFENSES

Well functioning host defenses in the respiratory tract effectively re move microbes and other debris that reach the conducting airways and a lveoli, and this usually prevents infections. People with acute and ch ronic illnesses can experience failure of any number of these defense mechanisms that allow pneumonia (and bacteremia) to occur, often with considerable morbidity and mortality. People with alcohol-related illn esses are a susceptible group for infections, and many strategies are needed to help them such as moderating alcohol abuse and dependence, p roviding timely immunizations to create antibody against encapsulated bacteria, anticipating microbial colonization of mucosal areas that ca n promote infection, giving excellent supporting medical care in crisi s situations, and prescribing appropriate antibiotics. New approaches to boosting inflammatory reactions to control lung infections better w ith cytokines and new immunomodulator therapies must be investigated n ow.