The extreme prevalence and devastating nature of cystic fibrosis make it a serious health concern and a major area of research. CF is particularly important to me not because of its prevalence, but more importantly because the disease has struck my family. There are several different clinical problems seen in CF patients that are caused by mutations in the CFTR gene.
Lung disease is the most serious complication seen with cystic fibrosis.
This mucus is nearly impossible for patients to clear from their lungs, so it serves as a breeding ground for bacteria and results in chronic lung infections. Most patient s airways are colonized with bacteria early in life, and once colonization begins, it is nearly impossible to rid the lungs of the bacteria since they tend to gain resistance to multiple antibiotics. A second major clinical problem seen in cystic fibrosis patients is digestive insufficiency. The large majority of males and many females who have cystic fibrosis also suffer from infertility. Males with CF are usually born with atrophy or absence of the vas deference, epididimus, and seminal vesicles making them completely sterile.