Mutation analysis in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis

Genetic determination of diabetes mellitus in patients with cystic fibrosis. Multicenter Cystic Fibrosis Study Group

Data from 1348 patients with cystic fibrosis in mid-Europe show that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in these patients is 4.9%, that diabetes develops in more female than male patients with cystic fibrosis during childhood and adolescence and at a younger age, and that diabetes mellitus is more likely to affect delta F508 homozygous patients.

Frequency of common cystic fibrosis gene mutations in chronic bronchitis patients

It has been suggested that the delta F508 deletion, the most common mutation in the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene, might be linked to chronic bronchial hypersecretion. We investigated whether such an association could be found in chronic bronchitis, since chronic bronchial hypersecretion is an important and specific element of chronic bronchitis. We screened 100 patients hospitalized for chronic bronchitis with six of the most frequently occurring CF gene mutations: delta F508, R553X, G542X, G551D, N1303K, and 621-1G-->T. Only one patient affected by chronic bronchitis and diffuse bronchiectasis was heterozygous for the deletion delta F508; no other mutations were found. This is not significantly different from the expected frequency of CF carriers in northern Europe, which is 1 in 25. Thus, no association between the most commonly occurring cystic fibrosis genes and chronic bronchitis is likely to exist and routine screening of patients without further signs of cystic fibrosis would seem to be of no benefit in northern Europe.

Common CFTR mutations are not likely to predispose to chronic bronchitis in northern Germany

The frequency of six common mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene was studied in 100 patients hospitalized with chronic bronchitis. Only one patient with chronic bronchitis and diffuse bronchiectasis was heterozygous for the common delta F508 mutation. R553X, G542X, G551D, N1303K and 621 + 1G-->T were not detected. This result is not significantly different from the frequency of cystic fibrosis carriers in Northern Europe. Predisposition of heterozygotes for chronic bronchitis is therefore unlikely.

Cystic fibrosis and the liver--a Saudi experience

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that is reported frequently among Caucasians. In view of the high rate of consanguinity in Saudi Arabia and the high number of children dying so young, many Saudi infants with CF remain undiagnosed owing to lack of clinical suspicion and proper diagnostic facilities. Over a 6-year period (1986-1992), we have made a diagnosis of CF in 36 cases. The aim of this report is to increase awareness of the hepatic presentation of CF in the developing word. Nine patients (25%) were originally referred to us as having liver disorders but subsequent investigations confirmed the diagnosis of CF. The referral diagnoses, number of patients in parentheses, were jaundice for investigation (four), glycogen storage disease (three), hepatomegaly for investigation (one) and neonatal hepatitis (one). Liver biopsies, obtained in five cases, demonstrated portal fibrosis and some steatosis. Consanguinity was present in eight cases, two were siblings. Four patients died. Three families had previously lost seven siblings during infancy with clinical features consistent with CF. It is concluded that hepatic presentation among Saudi patients with CF is relatively common, with serious sequelae.