Cystic fibrosis mutation testing in Italy

Abstract

In Italy, Cystic fibrosis (CF) mutation frequency differences have been observed in different regions. In the northeastern Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige regions, a complete cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene screening in CF patients detected through a newborn screening program has identified about 90% of the mutations. In these two regions, the current detection rate using a CF screening panel containing the 16 most common mutations is 86.6%. CF mutations in some other Italian regions have not been so thoroughly analysed. Available data indicate that a more general national screening panel comprising 31 mutations may detect about 75% of all CF mutations in Italy.