Final answer:
Moraxella catarrhalis, H. influenzae, Strep pneumo, and S. aureus are commonly found in individuals with cystic fibrosis due to the conducive environment created by altered mucus for bacterial growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Moraxella catarrhalis, H. influenzae, Strep pneumo, and S. aureus are commonly isolated from the airways of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). In the lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis, the altered mucus creates an environment conducive to bacterial growth and the formation of biofilms.
This is due to a genetic defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane receptor (CFTR) that leads to the accumulation of thick and dry mucus in the lungs, impairing the lung's defense mechanisms like the mucociliary escalator. Furthermore, these conditions facilitate the colonization by bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is a significant pathogen known to adopt to the lung environment in cystic fibrosis patients.