Gene Replacement in Pigs may Ameliorate Intestinal Obstruction Associated With Cystic Fibrosis

Caused due to mutations in the CFTR and characterized by lung, pancreas, liver and intestinal dysfunction, cystic fibrosis is a serious condition.

Approximately 15% of babies with CF are born with an obstruction of the small intestine known as meconium ileus, frequently the first sign of CF. Unlike in humans, meconium ileus occurs in 100% of newborn CF pigs.

Cystic Fibrosis - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Support Groups
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease involving the mucus and sweat glands and the medical world has still to find its cure

In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Michael Welsh and colleagues at the University of Iowa demonstrate that transgenic expression of normal CFTR in the intestine of CF pigs alleviated meconium ileus.

Over time, the pigs still exhibited other manifestations of CF, including liver and lung disease, reduced weight gain, and pancreatic destruction. These findings provide insight into the pathophysiology of CF and indicate that tissue-specific, partial gene replacement can ameliorate intestinal symptoms of CF.

Inhaling Concentrated Saline Could Benefit Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Researchers at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill have revealed that inhaling hypertonic saline is good for the lungs of patients affected by cystic fibrosis

Source-Eurekalert

Cystic fibrosis patients may require a new treatment for bacterial infection
Patients suffering from cystic fibrosis often gets bacterial infections from the bacteria Pseudomonas. Treatment for bacterial infections is

Key Found to Kill Cystic Fibrosis Superbug
Researchers from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario , working with a group from Edinburgh, have discovered a way to kill the cystic fibrosis superbug