Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation on the person’s 7th chromosome. This mutation is inherited from both parents. Many times the parent is unaware that they are carriers for this disorder until they have a child born with it. Common symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis include salty-tasting skin, foul-smelling stools, greasy stools, delayed growth, frequent infections, especially of the respiratory tract, coughing and wheezing, and rounded, or clubbed, fingers and toes.
Cystic Fibrosis can be diagnosed by a procedure called a Sweat Test. In a Sweat Test, sweat is collect from the individual and is analyzed for the amount of sodium chloride in the sample. People with CF have an unusually high amount of sodium chloride in their sweat. This is why a person with CF might taste salty if you kiss them. CF can also be diagnosed by a gene test where a sample of blood is taken and then analyzed to see if the person has inherited a mutation of the 7th chromosome from both parents.
In some parts of the world, testing for CF in newborns has become a requirement. It is estimated that 1 in 25 persons of Caucasian decent carry the CF mutation. If a person with the CF mutation marries another with the CF mutation, they have a 25% chance of having a child with Cystic Fibrosis.
Articles Please click on the link to read the full article
Canadian scientist have found a way to kill the Cystic Fibrosis Superbug, Burkholderia cenocepacia
Clinical Trials are underway to improve the lives of those who have Cystic Fibrosis.
