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Current challenges in cystic fibrosis screening.

CONTENT
This article gives an overview of the symptoms and mutations associated with classic and atypical cystic fibrosis (CF). Current testing methods for mutation detection in CF are discussed.


OBJECTIVES
Review testing for CF, including American College of Medical Genetics and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology guidelines and recommendations regarding population screening for CF. Describe symptomatic and mutational differences between patients with classic CF and atypical CF, including monosymptomatic conditions such as congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens, idiopathic pancreatitis, and chronic sinusitis. Explain the concern about predicting the phenotypic expression of the condition from the genotype. Discuss the challenges of CF testing, including the preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic phases. List the current methods for detecting CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene mutations, specifying the advantages and disadvantages of each. Describe the basic patient information necessary for laboratories to provide accurate risk assessments, such as ethnicity and family history, and reasons for the test being conducted (carrier or affected status).


RESULTS
The technical challenges of detecting the 25 recommended mutations are being met by commercially available reagents. Challenges remain for the preanalytic and postanalytic phases. Only with accurate patient information can laboratories provide specific risk reductions on the basis of a negative genetic test result.


CONCLUSION
As health care providers become better informed about the recommendations for CF testing and laboratories continue to increase the sensitivities of their assays, patients will benefit from increased screening efficiency and accuracy. This will allow affected individuals to receive prompt and effective treatment and carriers to enjoy an expanded number of reproductive options.