[Disorders in mucociliary transport. Primary ciliary dyskinesia]

Abstract

A survey is given of the mucociliary transport in the airways. Disturbances in rheologic qualities (viscosity and elasticity) of the mucuslayer may adversely influence mucociliary transport. This plays a role in cystic fibrosis and chronic bronchitis of other etiology. Disturbances in ciliary action can be secondary to for instance viral infections, inhalated substances and drugs. Inborn errors in the architecture of the cilia may cause immotility or ineffective motility of cilia, resulting in frequent airway infections. The clinical characteristics, diagnostic possibilities and a proposal for therapeutic measures are discussed.