Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal, recessive,
genetically transmitted disease, which manifests as a
chronic, multi-system, life-shortening disorder. It is the
result of defective epithelial ion transport caused by
mutations in the 230-kb gene on chromosome 7 - named
the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR).
Over 1 000 mutant alleles have been identified
and among these DF508 is the most common. The prevalence
of the disease varies among different ethnic
groups, with the highest prevalence among Caucasians and much less common among
African Americans and Orientals
Indeed, there have been very few case reports of the
disease in the Asian population.
Diagnosis should be based on laboratory evidence
of the CFTR abnormality, including an elevated
concentration of the sweat chloride, identification of
two CFTR mutations, or evidence of the characteristic
patterns of ion transport across the nasal epithelia.
Sweat chloride levels between 60 and 165 mEq/L are