Diagnosis and Emerging Treatments for Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder, which influences the liver, lungs, pancreas, intestine and kidneys. The long-term effects of this disorder include trouble in respiration, and coughing up mucus because of regular lung infections. There can be other symptoms such as fatty stool, sinus infections, infertility in most males, poor growth and clubbing of the fingers and toes. CF is hereditary in an autosomal recessive manner. It occurs due to the presence of mutations in both the replicas of the gene for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. There is currently no treatment for cystic fibrosis. Antibiotics are used in the treatment of lung infections, which can be taken orally, inhaled or given intravenously. Antibiotic azithromycin is used in severe cases for long time duration. Inhaled hypertonic saline and salbutamol can also provide relief. If the lung functioning is constantly deteriorating, lung transplantation can be done. Emerging medicines for the treatment of this disorder include powdered versions of tobramycin and colistin, nebulized aztreonam and mannitol for inhalation. This book unravels the recent studies on cystic fibrosis. It will help the readers in keeping pace with the diagnosis and emerging treatments of this medical condition.